Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Hey, wait say what?" before Arina could really put up any particular amount of protest though, the needle had been inserted and the liquid injected...She felt strange almost at once...Like trying to stay awake in the early moments of anesthesia...sure, you could move....but not always quite the way you meant to. "Transport...Where am i going...?"she asked not expecting a proper answer, but feeling the need to ask...Really, she had just meant to think it, but it seemed a good enough question to ask regardless...

The guard watched the interactions, until Lucretia gave him an order. He nodded, and slipped out of the lab, and down the hallway...He made his way to the lesser used section of the labs, and found the Raven in question "asleep" In its alcove...How stupid. It did look asleep...but what did a robot need sleep for? The very idea was stupid...Regardless, it didn't really matter. He just had to wake the thing up.

"Oiy, you...Get up,"he said, as he entered the codes to end the cycle...He couldn't figure why the damn thing needed to be woken up at all...it wasn't like they really needed it...AVALANCHE had plenty of organics who would be more than able to handle a little girl...even if she had been a Turk, even if she was becoming a Raven...

Deuce opened his eyes at once, and stared at the guard awaiting orders. He assumed it had something to do with prisoner transport...after all, around here, that was pretty much exclusively what he had been doing. He stepped forward out of the alcove, rotating his head on his neck slightly to refresh the mechanisms...it almost looked like he was stretching.

"Come on then, Lucretia needs you. Get a move on," said the guard, turning and heading back for the door. Now that it was up, and had its order, he didn't very well need to stick around and wait for it to do something...He knew it would follow him, it was programmed to do so...the thing was going to follow him back up to the lab, and then he was going to bail...He didn't need to sit around and babysit this drone...

Of course, he was right; Deuce followed after him, just a few steps behind, making sure that he was keeping up...By the time they got to the lab, B238 was standing in cuffs and waiting for transport. She seemed a little off...Well, she was standing and waiting so politely...that was different in and of itself...but she did look a bit drugged...there was a thin line on her arm too...the incision seemed to have healed well...While he had been "sleeping", he had uploaded all the files on projects to be completed...and apparently, the Master Second had stepped out...he looked at her a bit absent-mindedly, his eyes hidden by his perpetually worn sunglasses as he took in the sight, trying to figure just what to make of all this.

Arina stood there, sort of looking at the ground...it was like it was the ground she looked at, but somehow like she looked through it...She felt like she was taking in everything in the room at once, every sight, every sound...and yet none of it at all...It was then she felt something, it felt like a hand, on her back...a strong hand, pushing her forward slightly...guiding her in a new direction..it was weird. Suddenly the nothing she was staring at was moving...oh, no wait, that was her feet...the hand was pushing her forward, very carefully...making her go somewhere new...

Lucretia eyed the robot warily. She had never interacted with him before, never even seen him until now. She silently sized him up before speaking. "Deuce, the subject is to be escorted outside to meet up with LR-002." Try as she might, she couldn't keep the uneasiness out of her voice. "Professor Hojo wants to give them both a break from being indoors constantly." With that, Lucretia stepped back and mutely watched the pair leave.

Had she even been outside once? Even thinking about the outdoors summoned up a rush of familiar, but not, memories from the other woman. Sun, sky, clouds. No, none of those actually belonged to her. the more she thought about it, the more it made her sick. Maybe she should speak to Hojo about it.

Her heart beat fast within her chest as she stood up eagerly. She could not remember anything of the outside world; had she seen such a thing? Surely when she was younger; before attending this project she had witness such things as sunshine and a cool breeze across the flesh of her skin. Yet, sadly she could not remember such a day. With a wide smile on her face she offered her hand out to Arina in hopes that she would take it, of course she seemed hesitant at first – and she had every reason to be. Arina did not even know who LR-002 was. So rather than keep the poor woman guessing whether she would be friend or foe; LR-002 graciously introduced herself. ”I’m so sorry! I should have introduced myself first rather than making assumptions you would merely run off with a stranger. My name is LR-002; I think we will get along splendidly! Now shall we?” With that the two women made their way through the heavy steel door and out into the blinding light.

She stood there motionless for perhaps a minute or so; as her gaze lingered upward into the blinding light. It was utterly beautiful; absolutely intoxicating, and she was irrevocably entranced. The light was indeed bright and it caused the blonde reason to squint for a moment as her eyes adjusted. There were so many vivid colors that lingered outside as she took her first few steps into the warmth; of course her hand was still intwined with Arina’s and she felt the woman would perhaps prefer to have it back. Most would consider such a gesture awkward. LR-002 let the warmth wash over her allowing it to soak into her porcelain skin as she took her eyes away from the sun. The smells were amazing; there was such a mixture of warm spice like twinges to the air about her. She could not place names with such smells as she has yet to smell anything other than the sterilization of a hospital setting. ”It is amazing; is it not?” She inquired lightly looking over her shoulder toward the young woman. Of course LR-002 assumed she would share the same awe and wonder that she did for the blonde was naïve in the ways of Hojo and his training. She had no idea what a true psychopath he could really be as he has done nothing more that treat her like a human… or so she was led to believe.


Kneeling gently into the hot burnt earth below; she let her fingers trail lightly against the texture of it. The tips of her delicate finger pads were grazed with a feint sheen of the earthen hues as she lifted them up toward her nose. Yes; these were the warm spice like smells that she was intriuqed by. Yet there were more scents… so many more that she had to take in; that she must catalog. Rising gracefully she took off in a light sprint as she let her fingertips trail over each and every thing that was near. Perhaps she was associating a feeling; a touch with each object. She knew what some of these things were called but she knew not what they felt like. The leaves on tree’s were smooth; almost wax like – whereas the bark was rough and ungentle to the touch. Sand was brittle yet soft in a sense and grass was very wire like – sharp if you touched it wrong. A smile spread wide across her full pout as she took in everything and anything she could; for who knew how long she would be granted with such a gift. How long would she be allowed to experience the wonders of the outside world? ”You have yet to tell me your name? Are you a part of the project as well?” She inquired absentmindedly as she continued to walk; though now she was directing her form toward the small shops and children at play.

The strange and beautiful blond was suddenly standing next to her, extending her hand to her...The woman introduced herself, and then suddenly took Arina's hand, leading her out into the clear cool air and the warm yellow sunlight....She let herself be led around by the hand, almost in a daze, trying to take in things she thought she must have known of...The colors were vibrant, alive...they were something real and yet, up to that moment, they had been completely intangible; something she only knew of in theory, if that...But here it was. Proof that outside the confines of the labs, there really was something...She had been doubting that more and more over the course of the past days...if it had been days...maybe it had only been hours...or maybe it had been years....she really didn't know...

The other woman was suddenly examining every aspect of these outdoors, touching and feeling and examining every little thing...Arina looked around, enjoying every little touch from the movement of the wind, the cool dampness of the grass....it was such a drastic change from the darkness of her cell, with its stagnant, never moving air and icy concrete floor...Nothing was soft, like this breeze, nothing was gentle, like the caress of the grass, and nothing was warm like that which was coming from the glowing yellow sun...

That was when LR-002 came over to here again, and asked her two, seemingly simple questions...She thought about them for a minute, looking at the ground, and then up to the blond again. "My...my name....it...its...."she mumbled, not sure how to answer precisely, "...I think it....starts....with an A....?" When she said this, she looked over to door they had come out of, to the guards who had walked them out, and the two that had been waiting outside, as well as the scientists who had been testing them. She almost seemed to be asking them if she was correct.

One of the two guards who had been outside, a woman in street clothes, came over to her, and placed a hand on her shoulder. "No, dear. It starts with a B. Its B238, remember?" Arina looked up at her with innocent eyes, soaking in the words, unable to find reason to disbelieve the guard. After all, the 'name' did seem familiar...and...everyone kept calling her that...logically, it must have been her name.

"Y..yes...That...That sounds right..."she said, before looking back to LR-002, "My name is B238...I'm...I'm not really sure what project i'm in..." Everything she said sounded hesitant...She hadn't had a real conversation with someone in quite some time...Not someone who didn't seem to have an ulterior motive...LR-002 wasn't a scientist, or so she thought...This Blond wasn't about to inject her with anything, or cut her open in any way...She was just talking with her...like...a friend...Arina kept her guard up, just in case...She knew by now better than to trust on a whim...

LR-002 canted her head slightly to the left as the woman spoke. She seemed so hesitant on everything she said and did. It was as if she were just as much estranged to the outdoors as she was. Yet, perhaps she was afraid to leave the safe and secure confinements of her room; it wouldn’t be uncommon. Again the blonde smiled warmly before taking her hand once more. ”It’s wonderful to meet you B238. It’s ok if you don’t know what project you’re in. I don’t always remember the name to mine. Enough about me, let’s go see what we can find to do!” The woman’s excitement spilled over everything. She was much like a child on the first day of school, or on a birthday opening her presents for the first time. There was nothing negative about the woman; her movements, her words, her aura – everything was so very peaceful and bubbly. LR-002 led B238 toward a small shop; the woman could read the sign above labeled ‘Bakery’ as she upon occasion was given books. Though they made sure to be careful and not give her anything that would reveal the outside world. The smells that wafted from the building were so very inviting and made her stomach rumble with pleasure. Of course the blonde had no idea what Gil was or that things cost money. She was so very used to everything being handed to her. Stopping just inside the doorway she closed her eyes taking in a long needed drag of the air around her. It was so very sweet in the building and her senses were going into overdrive due to all the new scents. Letting go of Arina’s hand she moved to the glass pane that covered most of the unusual objects and began to point.

”What is that?” She inquired toward the elderly woman behind the counter. Chuckling lightly she moved toward where the blonde was fervently pointing at the glass and motioned toward a cookie. ”This dear?” She inquired pulling out the round caramel colored object. ”Yes, what is it?” The elderly woman smiled once more at the younger’s request before slipping it back down upon the wax paper. ”My child that is a Sugar Cookie. Would you like to buy one?” Lifting her gaze from the glass her brows furrowed in question as she looked back toward B238 for an answer. ”What do you mean buy?” There was sincerity in her voice as her expression was utterly and completely lost. The elderly woman pursed her lips lightly before grabbing two cookies. ”Now don’t go off and tell the my husband, but you girls look like you’re in need of a cookie.” A warm smile spread across the woman’s lips as she placed the cookies on a small plate setting it down on the counter. LR-002’s features lit up as she ran back to grab B238’s hand dragging her toward the plate. ”You will not get in trouble will you?” She inquired hesitant to grab the small round object, that shimmered lightly in the light – perhaps from the sugar it was rolled in. ”Don’t be silly dear. Now go on, try one.” Picking the cookie up with a wide grin she looked over to B238 before taking a bite.

It was as if she had taken a small bite of heaven. Never before had such tastes filled the blonde’s mouth. The cookie itself was so very sweet and buttery and it melted with ease along her tongue. Chewing it gently she swallowed, ”That is amazing!” She exclaimed looking over the woman who was now smiling broadly. ”Thank you dear, if you don’t mind me asking… where are you from? You don’t seem to be from around here.” LR-002 paused. Where was she from? Well even she was not sure. She was not sure where she was at. So rather than answer she took another small bite savoring the flavors and looking over to B238. Would she know where they were from?

Day. Not even. Day had come, but of the night there was little rest as she had predicted. Certainly, moving under the cover of night had purposed for better concealment, swiftness essential to relinquish a series of objectives under numerous projects—of this she was certain. Alone, however, she did not move. This came as the first surprise.

Outfitted regularly, retrieved from her cell a clean and decent woman of some piously wrongful years, she was met with the faces of four others. Their gazes were as alien and frigid as hers was certain to be in return, and they took her in silently as she joined their pack. For clearly such they were; a well established whole suddenly given a new individual to absorb into their midst, their very being. Though it had been done before, it was never a smart or sound move. Ravens detested alterations in packs. Those bred for pairs were flexible as single units as well. Packs, however, were far less versatile for the sole reason that their mechanistic unity was perfected. One less or more always threw off the balance. It was a dangerous situation she was being placed in.

But she had lost her empathy for such things.

Then it was that another pause was made, before another cell of the same mundane sorts. This then, was where the second surprise came.

Commanded and brought from out of the cell was the redheaded ex-Turk, Reno.

At first the frigidity of afore ignited as though a spark of electricity had jolted through her, but then muscles relaxed, tensions eased away. He also had been cared for, newly cleaned and dressed, more rested than he had been every time she’d seen him prior, and fed too—the look giving it away was in his eyes, in his body. They made six, and this procession then it was that was escorted swiftly through the underground laboratory, equipped with packs essential for each of them—small and compact, perfect for a Raven’s heavy traveling situation—and then…

The brisk air of open night, but a night already well on its way, with day closer than they would expect. It seems the men escorting them felt so too, surprised by how long it had taken and wasting no time in ushering them into a concealing van. She said nothing as they were ordered in, still as they each found a seat in the separate back compartment and perched there, listening as the loud series of clicks bespoke the locks they’d put in place. Then it was just a matter of time.

When the guard came into the shop with them, B238's first thought was one of fear; she didn't want to leave. She liked the outside, the warm sun and clean air...But she could tell from the tone of his voice and the look of his eyes that they were in trouble. What had they done wrong? Had they not been allowed to go outside? If that were the case, as she had thought it to have been, why were they being hurried away? She didn't like the feel of his grip on her upper arm...Though he was careful, and used a light touch, it panicked her slightly...The subject couldn't imagine how she could have angered the Masters...Was it the cookie?

She shouldn't have eaten it. It must have been that...She hadn't done anything else, nothing at all...But...LR-002 had acted as though it were alright...She was so clearly more in the favor of those who cared for them...Surely, wouldn't she have known? Why would the other woman lie to her? The guard had lied to that woman...why? Had he done something wrong too? Or had the woman? Maybe he was just trying to cover up his embarrassment at...whatever it was the two subjects had done.

Unfortunately, all too soon, B238 found herself being led back to the entrance of their world of dark. She made a small noise of panic as the doorway grew larger, grew closer, but stifled it quickly for fear of making things worse. The two of them were almost at once inside the cool dark, but somehow the former Turk couldn't calm herself...She stood still when the pair were finally shoved to a stop, trying to conceal how worried she was...She didn't like being back underground...She had been down there so long...She wanted to go back outside...

Suddenly the slap echoed through the room. Instinctively, B238 flinched away from the sound...She didn't like the blond man, even before he had hit LR-002...Now at least she understood a little where that feeling was coming from. Her wide eyes looked to LR-002, full of concern, hoping that this person who had shown her kindness was alright...The hand print already glowed a painful looking red. She wanted to reach out, and comfort the other subject, but something in her told her that would not be in either of their best interests...

The man who had hit LR-002 began talking...Saying they shouldn't have been let outside...Clearly, they had displeased the Masters...From the enraged look in his eyes while he stared them down, it was clear they had displeased him, to say the least. He continued speaking as he gave his dismissive gesture, and ordered them taken away...She was to be put back into what was the real darkness...Outside of her cell at least, there were artificial lights...Inside, there was nothing to break up the blackness so long as the door remained closed. She didn't want to go back into the dark, but knew better than to argue...She had been given freedom, and all too soon she had displeased the Masters to make them take it away...She didn't like that...She didn't even know what she had done to make them so upset....

Such a senseless displeasure, Trellon thought inwardly.

Much chaos had unraveled with the mere laxity of the guards. Under such circumstances, it seemed great alterations would need now to take place to continue not only their research and countless projects, but the assurance that what needed to be done would no longer fall into unprepared hands. Hands, he determined, that would soon find themselves belonging to either euthanized or disemboweled subjects. There was no need for faltering henchmen when they had an army of near perfect beings at their disposal.

He would have to suggest it to the second-in-command. Cruze certainly would not disapprove of a shift in assignments for the Ravens. They were, after all, quite versatile creatures.

However, the announcement that their facilities needed to be evacuated and stripped of all technological, mechanical, and chemical counterparts proved…very unpleasant. Not only did units of both organic and inorganic materials, subjects, and so forth need to be shipped securely, cautiously while maintaining the best of conditions—but certain aspects of his research were more costly than half the price of the entire base itself.

The most trying of these would, doubtlessly, be the disarmament and transport of Infiltration. The machine was a network of hardware and technology, built as a room but with an overall thickness beyond the walls of its interior of several feet of highly refined metals and precision mechanics. Should a piece go missing, it would cost a hefty amount to find a replacement. Worse, perhaps was that overall the weight of the room-machine was that of several tons and its individual pieces so specific and heavy that many sections would need to be transported separately.

However, Infiltration was the greatest machine behind their cause. It could permeate a living organism flawlessly, tear it completely apart and reach into its very depths without allowing it to expire. It was not merely a tool to evaluate every last portion of—say, a human being. It could act as puppeteer, the ultimate form of manipulation, acting on the nervous system, hormones and muscles to achieve any desired effect from the subject placed within its hands. Likewise, therefore, it was the perfect tool for rewriting the conscious mind and behavioral patterns.

Someday, Ravens and other lowly test subjects would not be sacrificed to its flawless fangs. Someday, the Master First would place their holy, docile lambs upon Infiltration to achieve…the ultimate outcome. LR-002 would someday hold that honor, he predicted. Until then, Trellon focused on the progression of the disassembling and packaging of his equipment. The great machine would be gone from the underground before nightfall.

Soon, however, he would have to go see LR-002. She would need his condolence after what she had endured. The ex-Turk subject, B238, would perhaps profit from a visit as well. Trellon would look into that further once a few issues were taken care of.