Brandon entered the room much later than everyone else, he was covered in soot and smelling faintly of burnt plastic he was looking down at his comm device talking to his chief engineer "Try and do what you can, worst comes to worst we'll scrap it and buy a new one, but I'd like to avoid that if possible, it took a massive amount of time to calibrate it when we first installed it.". He stopped walking as the chief replied, directly into his earpiece and frowned before responding. "I said try what you can, but not try what you want." Brad closed the comm device and looked up, noticing that everyone else was already there ahead of him, he nodded curtly to the group at large before walking upto Finn. "We blew the main coupling and had to make the trip on the reserve." He gestured to the group "After this I'll need your help, the reactors can't handle the power draw no matter what we try."
Shortly after Finn grabbed some water for Dr. Erzie, he heard the door open and in walked 3 women.
Ah. I assume Mrs. Kole and... can't say I'm acquainted with you two?
Stretching out his hand, he shook each of their hands and greeted each of the women entering the Taurus room. Sitting down, he looked back at the time and wondered where Alessa and Brad were. While waiting, he sent off a quick comm from the table.
As Alessa walked in, Finn gave a smile and nod towards the newest member of the Ingenuus Research Group.
Glad you made it safely Alessa. You know Rachel of course, but I'd like t' introduce you t' our guests. This is Dr. Erzie, Mrs. Kole, Mrs. Hellion, and Mrs. Stone. Once brad arrives, we shall begin.
Making small talk and the occasional flirtation, Finn laughed and enjoyed the time conversing with the ladies of the Order, and Dr. Erzie, before the meeting began. Taking a sip from his flask, he heard the door open to Brad walking in, talking on his comm device.
Don't worry Brad, after this you have my full attention and we'll get your reactor all set and ready I promise!
Sitting up straight, and clearing his throat, Finn begin the meeting he had called everyone for.
Right. So most of you know why I called you here. Given the information provided t' us by Dr. Erzie, as well as our discussion in Delta with you three, we'd like t' know more about what happened exactly, and anything you have on this Nomad entity "Ish'tar". I assure you, this room is clean and secure, and any information you provide will be kept strictly confidential.
Rachel watches as the others slowly start to trickle into the room. Standing up slowly, feeling a little awkward sitting as the newcomers arrive. Standing only a few feet behind Finn as he introduces himself and welcomes them to the Ingenuus Labs.
"Hello there Dr." She says smoothly as Erzie enters the room, bowing her head slightly. "It's nice to meet you. Make yourself comfortable" She didn't have very much to say just yet, not being one for idle conversation. At least that was until she got to know the person(s) the scientist was dealing with.
Crossing her arms lazily, she waits for the last person to arrive. - Finding herself rather surprised as the three well-guarded individuals arrive at the conference room. Feeling slightly relieved as the others are dismissed back towards their ship. - Taking a few steps to be alongside McCool. "Kelly. Kole. Aelita." Having recognized the guests right away. "I admit I was only expecting one of you to be here. I never thought i'd see you show up at the labs. God-forbid you ever have to see me 'work' for once." Chuckling quietly. "Though I suppose the circumstances are calling for it right now. I'm glad your little ordeal didn't end up worse than it did.." Eyeing Kole's condition warily.
Letting them take their seat after McCool introduces himself. Walking over to her side of the table, sitting down as well. Interested in getting this little meeting started. Folding her hands on the table.
"We don't mean to push you into a subject which we have no doubt was an.. uncomfortable experience to go through, although we'd like to start off on this strong note objectively. In hopes that we'll be able to target what any potential issues may be, and begin thought on remedying them. An appearance of a new entity is rather alarming, to say the least. Please don't be put off by how straightforward we'd like to be. - I can assure you that we will take whatever you say no matter how odd it may be, very seriously."
She adds on once McCool finished starting the conversation off. Uncharacteristically attentive.
Kelly sighed upon noticing Rachel’s reaction to her daughter “Lets say when Kole incapacitated me, another commander responded badly, almost killing her upon storming my ship...needless to say, Aoi, will get harsh punishment for harming fellow agents.” leaving her commenting at such. “Yes Ish’tar...I’ll let James give his piece first before I give mine. Sitting down near Kole, holding her close to her side, Kole sitting right next to her, seeming to relax with her mother close. Stone smiled a bit and bowed her head “Kalli’” giving the discordian way of greeting to them with a smile at the end before sitting down, her upbeat smile glowing on her face as she waited for everything to begin.
Opening his small booklet to a bookmarked page, James took great care in how he began with his story. He decided to tell it from the beginning, as most fit in any case.
"There were attacks we knew about, Nomad activity rising in Delta. I was trying to study Azurite A6 and its properties, as you all may know... My ship was in no condition to fight, and my spirit was right there with it... I've grown weary of battle, and only find peace in knowledge, so that was my focus. Ish'tar appeared a few times for my observation, all times without any hostilities. She has never treated me with such..."
His book appeared to have notes and drawings, all with rushed writing all around. Footnotes, side-notes, and nearly anywhere they could fit. It would come to great surprise to those listening that such a powerful being would act with such peaceful intent.
"An aberration appeared before me, a woman emitting a soft violet color from her eyes and mouth. She spoke, but I could not hear her at first... but then I declared that I would listen under one condition: That I would maintain my humanity and free will. That is when I could hear her, as she gave me a choice... To find knowledge and to know the truth in the light, or to find peace in darkness, with the end of life. Then she took grasp of my head, I could almost feel her, and as she spoke once more, I fell deep in slumber..."
The Doctor paused a moment, taking a small sip of water, then sliding his booklet to the next person, revealing an in-depth portrayal of what he saw once his consciousness faded. The first few pages show a woman in a sea of white, but the following pages are darkened, with only light accents making out any picture. Page after page was filled with what seemed to be fights. None of the text was coherent with the exception of a clear script reading, "Feel no fear." As he continues his statements, his cybernetic eyes cease to glow, and James' voice becomes rather emotional and pain-filled.
"I was tested... Against all of my memories. I have been to hell, survived it, and that... Being... sent me back once more... People I loved and trusted spoke lies into my ears... Hoping I would abandon what I stood for. My resolve would not waver. I chose the path of peace in these memories, sparing all of the lives I could... and after all this, in this... vision... I was forced to sacrifice the life of my mother, proving I would not trade my path for another... The woman reappeared to me, and smiled, disappearing soon after."
Dr. Erzie seemed completely engulfed in his statements, rambling on at this point, but trying to concentrate on the reason for telling the story. Taking yet another drink, his eyes reignited. As he spoke, his tone intensified, clearly showing the anger behind his words.
"I was tested yet again by the warriors in that... void... I hid in the darkness, just trying to keep calm... Then I saw another being. Clearly strong and adept in combat, he spotted me... attacked me. His initial blow so fast and powerful I had no time to respond. He struck me, clearly aiming to wound and maim than to kill. I began to think, trying to... predict what he would do so I could prepare... I could practically hear his thoughts as whispers, making his next strikes easy to avoid. I hid once more in the shadows, but the shadows were his ally, not mine... I tried to tend to my wound, extreme pain coursed through my veins as if the blade was coated with a potent toxin... I thought I was in a good spot to recover, which is when I heard him once more... He came from the shadows with a mighty blow, his intentions unclear. I knew I wouldn't be able to do anything, so I decided to stand my ground and accept fate. As his blade came inches from my chest, it was quickly stopped, being withdrawn at the last moment. He looked at me, straight in the eyes, seeing what was left. He saluted and departed. It was then that I was forced out from the nightmare... I... then was in a darkness, nothing, I could barely think, and I couldn't feel anything... nothing but the pain in my arm..."
With the last few words, James revealed a gauze underneath his garments on his left arm, clearly sustaining physical manifestations of his vision. He grit his teeth as he peeled the cloth away to reveal a cut that looked scorched, with web-like formations of blackened blood spreading outward from the wound. Letting out his breath as he relaxed, the gauze fell to the floor. His eyes were no longer glowing, and seemed to gaze a thousand miles away, his head hanging low.
"Beyond what has been my visions, I have no other insight on this "Ish'tar." Kelly and Kole would certainly have more insight on the events that took place during my stasis, to which I am still recovering..."
After a small silence, Dr. Erzie looked up at everyone, wondering who would break the silence, then relaxed into his chair, his cane leaning close by. When everyone had viewed his journal, it returned back to him, only the later half being revealed. James removed the bookmark, placing it into a pocket, closing the book, squaring it against the edge of the table once more.
Wide-eyed after hearing of James' story, he rubbed his chin gently with his hand. Still contemplating what was going on, he looked up at all around him, and then looked at the gash on Dr. Erzie's arm.
I'm perplexed by hearing this t' be quite honest. I knew that Nomads could create visions within one's mind, but never did I realize they were powerful enough t' have physical effects on the body such as that. After this, if you'd be willing, I would want one of our staff here examine the wound.
Shaking his head again, he looked up at the other two Order members.
I would love t' now hear your interaction with this Nomad entity. When you're ready of course.
While waiting for them to get started, Finn heard a beep on his comm unit. Looking down, yet another message concerning the Order. Sending a quick message off to his staff concerning Brad's ship, he typed up a quick message.
Kelly stood and sighed, turning her daughter away as she slowly as she spoke "I gave up some of my mental state for my daughter, I'm heavily prone to aggression, anger and other emotions then I ever used to be, sporadic ones as well...unlike James, I did it for Kole, so I guess its less, what happened to my crew, is Kole a few years back as a heavily forced and broken form of Psionics from the LSF. Due to what Ish'tar did during its invasion of our minds, she snapped and retaliated, sadly ending in the massacre you saw. Kole however was left largely unaffected for whatever reason, and several times she tried to invade James's mind via her Psionicals only to be thrown out, repeating that she saw some purple haired and eye colored female..that's all I got to honestly say...Kole wishes to remain quiet, as she's not a...public speaker." Kole nodding shyly but indeed quickly to this
After some seconds of silence just breathing could be heard and Alessa looked to Finn. Seeing him seemed to be same confused as Alessa was, she continued speaking.
I can suggest that these experiences have a strong impact on you. I can imagine that it is difficult or even impossible to lockout the affect from your mind entirely or even temporary. Please, take a deep breath and try to clear your mind for second. It is very important that you try to interpret and report your experience with Ish'tar mostly objective.
Alessa stagnated for a second. For some moment she thought that she probably was too harsh. Quietly, with a gently voice, she used to continue with a question.
Do you have a suggestion, why it had been appeared to you with these unusual purple hair and eyes?
James followed through with the request, taking a breath, trying to suppress the neural recall, as strange whispers were the sole ambiance. The Doctor began to grit his teeth, clearly causing himself a great expense of effort. The whispers came to a close, and a relief fell over James.
"Ish'tar... Anyone who has observed the human race would clearly see the role of women among us. The naturally comforting maternal perception... clearly the gender is not on accident... However, the eyes and hair... I don't know..."
He sat a moment, as whispers again seemed to crawl into everyone's ears. Every few words could be made out, but not coherent enough to communicate. Each time the whispering was interrupted by the Doctor's speech.
"It is strange, that she would appear as such. If she wanted to learn, she surely learned much about my own life, but she had access to my memories, so that is no mystery... However, it may be possible that the Nomads don't perceive color as we do... and that simple fact is the cause of the unusual appearance."
Confusion overflowed his expressions, his eyes darting each direction as he pondered the possibilities. Once again, whispers came and went between his words.
"Tell me, what purpose would you change your appearance? We would all do it for a reason or another. Perhaps to avoid recognition or manipulate... What about to be welcomed? A strange idea really. If you want me to consider this objectively, I really don't have enough information to come to any true conclusion. What I do know is that it takes great effort for me to suppress my thoughts... have you tried to think of nothing? Especially with such a busy mind, it is not easy..."
The whispers returned, and distress was leaking in James' expression. He was clearly becoming quickly exhausted, now sweating slightly, he looked anywhere around the room for someone who would relieve him. He seemed to stumble a bit out of his chair, kneeling for a shot moment on the ground, then ascending to a low crouch, as he turned toward the exit.
"If you wouldn't mind, I'll take my leave to your examination facilities; this congress has tired my mind... It is a strange feeling... nearly hypoxia... I-I..."
James slumped down to his knees again, breathing heavy. Regardless of the power behind his cybernetics, his mind was too weak to keep them standing. His head nearly on the floor, James fought every urge to give in to the exhaustion, ultimately defeated. He fell limp, and with it, there were no whispers. With his fall, his cane slid out from under him, leaving him motionless on the floor, life barely still in him.
Seeing Erzie collapse cause Finn to immediately call for aid. Rushing over to James' body, he carefully lifted him up onto the chair with the aid of the others. As the emergency crew rushed in with a gurney, Finn looked at Kelly and Kole.
I think this wraps up our meeting. We'll treat James here, and when he is back to his relatively normal state, we'll escort him back t' Order space. I'm truly sorry for the ordeal you all went through. Equally so having t' recall and relive such memories. We only want t' help and hopefully provide some clarity for you. If there is anything further, please let us know. Otherwise we'll get James back t' health, as well as see where t' go from here.
Motioning for the staff t' take James out of the room, he thanked everyone again and motioned them out of the room. As the Order members left down the corridor to the right, Finn followed the medical staff to the left to the Ingenuus' medical facilities aboard.
As Dr. Erzie lay in the medical bed, Finn looked over his vitals, and despite not knowing if he could hear him, spoke calmly.
Everything will be fine James. We'll have you back in no time, and we will find out what's going on...