Debriefings and DAMONs (Sess)

[Lukas]

One hour after debriefing* - Private cabins.

*(See "Proton Riot")

There was a reason she'd kept her room at Jeddah free of technical manuals and documentation, but this room was full of it. Documents, Diagrams, manuals, all concerning something he referred to as the 'Scorpion'. Not that she cared right now.. it sat there gathering dust, and would continue to do so until Dylan bothered to give her an official order to read it.

A toy riot sat on the table in front of Ashley instead, half-built with a few component parts floating around her cabin. Normally she'd have rebuilt it three times already by now, but... something was stopping her.

Perhaps it was the fact she was building a plastic version of the machine she'd sacrificed to try and kill someone hours earlier. Perhaps it was the look on Dylan's face when she was given it, and the snide remark about 'not breaking this one'. Remembering that set her off, driving her hand across the table and sending the model flying into a wall. She needed some fresh air - or at least out of the room Dylan had 'assigned' her to.

---

She found herself wandering the hallways of the Resolution, drawn in one direction after an unusual echo reached her ears. The sound was familiar to her in a way she just couldn't place... almost like the roar of a DAMON, but if one had appeared on the ship there'd be alarm bells ringing already. And it wasn't like anyone from DEI was stupid enough to summon one on board, right?

...Right?

 

[Hitura Rael]

Cuddles was not quite happy. Being in such a small cramped space was not ideal for a giant creature, even brainwashed. Minerva stroked between the massive monster's eyes. "Shhh. You'll scare the normies. Then we won't get to go out next time." Cuddles made a grumbling noise in it's chest and did it's best to settle down in it's holding pen. Far too small for him. But being stuck on this ship... It's not like they could make the space bigger. Or could they?

How hard would it be to make something bigger on the inside? That would be a massive scientific achievement, allowing for less space to be taken up by humans and retail and more for nature to be restored and balance of the earth. It would certainly give more space for Cuddles to be comfortable. She pulled herself in closer to the Damon to cuddle it. "There there... We'll find some way to make this place work for us."

At least her father was busy cataloging Cuddles' genome and such. Now who would she go to to plant the bug to start researching the dimensional energy's capabilities to cause interior expansion? Definitely not Dylan. He was a weird, weird man. She didn't quite like him from what she had heard about him. Though she DID have to thank him for cuddles. Then again, He and her father didn't want to let her name the Damon Cuddles, or anything for that matter. What kind of name was a series of numbers and letters anyway! Cuddles was MUCH easier to remember and pronounce.

She planted an affectionate kiss on the creature's forehead, then let it go. "Horn please." Cuddles gave a purr like rumble and tilted it's body ever so slightly and carefully to bring a horn closer to the girl. She grabbed on to the protrusion and pulled herself onto it, which was easy enough free floating. She'd never figure out how to get moving on her own free floating and it was just plain rude to use someone as a spring board. She settled in on the horn, laying over it.

Her lab coat spilled over the edge of the smooth white surface. That thing was far too big for her. 'It will shrink in the wash!' they had said. 'You'll grow into it!' others had said. Fools all of them. This was NOT the kind of material that shrunk in the wash, that was just an ancient idea about cloth that somehow still popped up from time to time. And people stopped growing around her age! Honestly, it sounded like an excuse to give her crap no one wanted, or worse, make her look cute. She shuddered and reached up to rub the Damon's head.

At least Cuddles didn't try to dress her up like a little doll or talk down to her for wearing long garments and gloves all the time. They weren't the short hand gloves either. They were full on linen dress up gloves that covered to her elbows. Sure, it was hot, but it covered the 'skin disease' quite nicely. She hated the mottled look she had. A whole scientific lab at his disposal and he couldn't match her skin tone? Or perhaps he thought it was 'cute'.

The Damon gave a small grumble that sounded somewhat happy at least. Perhaps it was the horrible looking headgear altering it's demenour, or perhaps it was just her imagination. She was happy with either honestly, it was nice to have something to talk to that couldn't talk back.

 

[Lukas]

The mysterious sounds were eventually traced into the depths of the Resolution, Ashley heading to places she'd never otherwise look. Corridor after Corridor, security door after security door... she definitely wasn't supposed to be here - but nobody was around to tell her no. Her card opened the door with a ping, leaving her staring at a fully grown Bull Damon.

With a girl... riding it?

Ashley herself would be presumably at least known of by Minerva - Dylan spoke of her often - but her name would be a mystery. It began with A... probably... but changed every time he referred to her, to the point where it could justifiably be assumed he had a collection of test pilots. She was often treated as more test subject than test pilot, used as the control for various types of drugs Dylan would bring up in discussions with her father.

The helmet passed her notice for now. Everything else about the sight presented to her was shocking enough. A DAMON - Bulldamon, no less - was sitting in storage. She'd seen and fought enough of them to know unnatural that was, and there was no way one would allow a human to just sit on a horn. After a moment of stunned confusion she'd finally speak up - two words breaking the silence.

"The fuck?"

 

[Hitura Rael]

The fuck?"

Minerva pushed herself up, not in any hurry. She gave Cuddles an affectionate pat, "I told you you'd scare the normies." She turned around to dangle her legs over the edge of the horn. She wore black leggings, white stockings, and black flat shoes. Her blouse was also black. Almost every inch of her skin was covered, leaving only her throat and face uncovered. She tilted her head curiously at the woman.

She didn't know the woman, just of her, and possibly others. There were only two possibilities when it came to this woman, given Dylan's nature. She honestly couldn't guess if there was one pilot and Dylan couldn't keep names straight to save his life or if there were many young women with names that began with the the 'Ah' sound. Really, it could go either way with the man, he would not be the first man in history to have a type. "You must be one of the pervert's pool of pilots. I don't think you're supposed to be down here."

 

[Lukas]

Pervert's pool of pilots?

"P-Pool? No, there's only me. My name's Ashley, but he's never bothered to learn it."

Ashley had never thought about herself that way before, although it was true that her pilot suit left next to nothing to the imagination. Her mind went to a weird place at the idea of Dylan having a 'pool' of pilots like her, and she dismissed it with an audible gagging sound. It somewhat jarred her out of any previous anger, leaving her slightly offended and very confused.

"Ahem. Anyway... my card let me in, so I'm permitted most likely. How has that thing not tried to eat you by now? I used to work security during the summonings, and I've seen them smash through containment cells even when they can't see anything on the other side."

She neglected to mention that Dylan had probably just given her all-access out of laziness, but kept it in mind regardless as something to use. If DEI was hiding a DAMON in their battleship, what else lay aboard?

 

[Hitura Rael]

"Oh, That is less disturbing. He's still probably a pervert though. A thoughtless air-headed pervert."

At least that was less people to remember. There were far too many names that Dylan had forgotten/guessed. She frowned slightly, "Does he get my name wrong?" She would not be surprised if he did. That man couldn't get anything right if it wasn't related to work he was interested in.

She didn't quite care either way if Dylan couldn't get her name right, nor if the woman was where she wasn't supposed to be. Minerva didn't hide cuddles. He was just... too big to go anywhere BUT here. She rubbed the Damon's head affectionately, "Cuddles is well in hand. Of course he has his little bouts of being moody. Wearing a hat that dumb looking, I would too. But don't take it off~ If you want to live." She flashed a slow menacing grin.

 

[Lukas]

"I don't think he's actually interested in anything outside of his studies. Otherwise he'd probably have hit on me or Captain Katri at least once by now." She shrugged, pondering the mysterious girl's question.

"I'm.. not sure... he likes dodging around names when it's someone he can't just be rude to."

Ashley unfortunately had no idea who this woman was at first. She put a hand on her chin, scratching her brain for any particular comments from Dylan that might enlighten her. It was the face that eventually gave her away - offhand mentions of Doctor Emaric keeping his daughter on as an assistant.

"You're the assi- daughter of Doctor Emaric, I assume? He just refers to you as the assistant. At least in front of me. As for your.. uh.. pet?" There was some hesitation as she stared at the Damon's helmet. "If that helmet's what is keeping him docile... please be careful. I really don't want of them running loose in here, especially with my machine destroyed - not that I could kill it before it ruined the ship from the inside, most likely."

 

[Hitura Rael]

Minerva laughed. "If I could lift that thing then you'd all be in trouble anyway~." She slipped off the horn to drift down to the floor. "That would involve me either being as big as he is, or strong enough to lift a ton." She straightened her lab coat and smoothed out the wrinkles. "You are perfectly safe. Unless some idiot sits on the disable button." That one was clearly a tease.

She held her gloved hand out. "I am Minerva Emaric. Yes. He is my father." All traces of the teasing and malevolence vanished from her face. The teenage girl took on something of a flat expression. "They are two peas in a pod, uncaring about anything that doesn't interest them. I am sorry to hear about your machine. At least you made it out alive."

 

[Lukas]

She's probably not WRONG, but... perhaps the girl with a pet Damon isn't the best baseline for sanity.

Ashley would carefully shake the offered hand, smiling for now after the joke. "Thanks. In all honesty, I'm not too sad to see the machine go. I was quite literally sitting on a bomb with the stupid thing, Same with all those 'riot' units. And it's not like he can stick me in anything worse after that." She laughed. It was a harsh, defensive, laugh.

"It's what he might try to stick in me that freaks me out. Last time I asked for a refill he claimed he was working on a new version of my pills."

One consistent topic of discussion Dylan would have brought up with Minerva's father was combat drugs. Regardless of his interest in the subject, Dylan would use the man as a sounding board for new concotions or run experiments by him. For some reason (assuming she cared to listen), the subject had recently changed from biology to nanomachines - relating to output from the Very secret project that literally everyone in DEI had heard something about regardless. Something about nanomachine rage viruses had a way of greasing the rumour mill.

 

[Hitura Rael]

Her grip was not as strong as one would expect, at least in her hand shake. Her right arm was the hated one, after all. "I am glad you were not attached to it then. I don't think I'd take it as well as you are if the Caper was destroyed, or Cuddles." She shook her head, "I am sorry, how rude of me." She turned to the DAMON, "Cuddles~, This is Ashley. Ashley, this is Cuddles." The DAMON lowered it's head to the two girls. She reached up to pat the DAMON's cheek. "You may pet him if you like. It's perfectly safe."

"Why do you let them use you for an experiment?" She turned her head to Ashley, "They are bypassing all controls in place by doing so. You even have fears for your own health and safety, yet you continue to consume the drugs. Why? Is it addiction at this point? Or does he have something over you?" She was aware of what Dylan was planning. Her father had at many times helped out with the production. He even had the idea of testing what would happen if they used those drugs on the DAMON.

"They are not very quiet with their plans. They're like toddlers with a secret." The corners of her lips curved up in the barest of smiles, "Honestly, they forget I'm there sometimes when they really get into it. They said something about introducing nanites. Emeric also suggested trying it on Damon. I told them if they try it on Cuddles I will feed them to him."

 

[Lukas]

She'd twitch as the DAMON leaned down, unwilling to touch it even if it seemed safe. Something about going within touching distance of a Bulldamon just screamed this is a terrible idea at her. Loudly.

"...Nanites?" Ashley looked more confused than anything. Who'd use nanites in a drug? She couldn't wrap her head around it, but at the same time... it sounded like something Dylan would try to do to her. As to why she let him... that wasn't a subject she was willing to talk about with a stranger. Not yet.

"It's... a long story. But I'm fairly sure I can quit at any time - and I will if he crosses a line."

Spoken like a true addict.

 

[Hitura Rael]

"Yes. He really should stop forgetting when others are around. Or spreading secrets he wants kept. He's like a toddler. Are you sure he's an adult?" She tilted her head curiously at Ashley. Perhaps Dylan was just special in the head, she was POSITIVE her father was. How else do you explain such childish obsession and reckless action? Damn men playing with the lives of others like they were toys...

She snorted when Ashley said the magic words of every addict. She almost laughed. The poor woman... "No you can't. You couldn't if you tried. Not without help. That's how addiction works. You think you are in control and have the power, but biologically you are dependent on the chemicals and your body cannot function without it without intervention to prevent you from getting access. Did you know withdrawal can kill you if you're extremely dependent on the chemical?"

 

[Lukas]

"If I don't take it, I die when some DAMON decides my cockpit is the perfect place to find a snack!" Ashley suddenly raised her voice, stepping forward in a threatening fashion before stopping herself. She took a sharp breath, backing up once more and clenching her fist a few times.

"S-Sorry... side affects mess with my head a little. Heightened aggression... normally I keep to myself until it wears off, but that's hard to do on a ship like this."

 

[Hitura Rael]

Minerva stepped back and rose her hand defensively, fingers poised to snap. Cuddles growled low in warning at the sight of the gesture. Minerva stared at her with a cold, disconcerted look.

"And there, you just proved my point. You're right, you probably would die if you stopped taking it, but not in combat. Likely from withdrawl. Chemical dependence is a bitch." She relaxed her palm, letting cuddles see her do so before lowering her hand to her side. "All the more reason to stop letting yourself be an experiment. Did you know that the more you take a drug the more tolerance you gain? Takes more to get the same effect... right up until you over dose."

 

[Lukas]

"And you'll be off at the sidelines when I do, laughing and saying 'I told you so'?" Ashley huffed - Minverva was starting to remind her of Dylan, and not in a good way. Did the asshole mad scientist trait run in the family?

"For someone trying to 'help' me, you're sure being a bitch about it. One pill's always worked for me anyway." Whether this was just Ashley not noticing the effects or a side affect of the constant formula changes was unclear, but regardless her demeanour had gotten a lot worse over the course of the conversation.

 

[Hitura Rael]

"Hardly. It's not funny for someone to suffer that kind of death. Before that happened I'd probably have Cuddles eat Dylan and give you medical treatment." She gave a dainty shrug of her shoulders. "He should be more careful with the lives of others. Experiments are not worth people's lives and suffering."

She gave Ashley a sardonic grin. "Says the one who just threatened a sixteen year old with physical harm." She rubbed her chin curiously. "Is it the same compound still or has he made changes? I wouldn't doubt that he changes it, with the way he talks about adding things... That would keep your body from getting used to the compounds given they keep changing... but that puts you further at risk for certain withdrawals to hit or needing more for the effects when he finally removes a compound your body relies on now. Honestly I should just have cuddles eat him and be done with it." She pouted, of all things, reaching her hand up to pet the Damon for her own comfort.

 

[Lukas]

Ashley's brain first went to the idea of 'Cuddles' giving her medical treatment. One vivid and slightly disturbing mental image later she returned to reality, slowly nodding.

"It changes every time he improves it. I think there's a core mix, but I'm no biologist. The effect's always a bit different though." She's still frowning, but at least this girl seemed to care about her - in a more than slightly demented fashion.

"Frankly.. if you want to try and eat him, I'm not gonna try and stop you. Other people might if you go on a rampage, though. Director Bertram loves the guy." Ashley rolls her eyes. She agreed with most of what the girl was saying, but at the same time... she was nuts. Good ideas thought up the wrong way, or a sign of something weirder?

 

[Hitura Rael]

"Chemist. Drugs are chemistry more than biology. Creating the compound is chemistry anyway. Biology might fall under studying the effects on the body... Maybe. Though that is still chemistry in the end." She shrugged, "Either way, Vertalis' interest in the drug is fleeting at best. Enough to amuse Dylan when the occasion calls for it so he can continue his own interests and receive feedback when he needs it. Kind of a 'you scratch my back I'll scratch your's' relationship."

Minerva's brow drew down in a puzzled look. "Someone actually LIKES that bubble brained fool? That is certainly hard to comprehend. What did Dylan do to garner that?" She had heard something of the debacle of the first DAMON summoning. The man was certifiably insane.

 

[Lukas]

"Chemisty, Biology, probably some physics with all the weird stuff going on in here. I'm no scientist." She sighed. Thinking about what DEI did was a short-cut to a headache.

"His crazy stuff works. That's why. Dylan built those Riots the Directory's been buying, and... dangerous as the damn thing was, it's performance was through the roof. Same with that tank, and.. well... this." Ashley nods upwards reluctantly, referring to the Resolution itself. She refused to call it by its full name - puns or wordplay could be respected, but Dylan wasn't deserving of anything close to respect and as such any joke he made was tainted by association in her mind.

 

[Hitura Rael]

"And what's the cost of his success?" She asked curiously. People didn't exactly spread word of what went on in some of those experiments. Likely the ones that went pear shaped fast. Unless her father and Dylan forgot she was there when they discussed things of course. It was amazing the things you could hear when people forgot you were there. Horrible things too... Like staring at women's asses or breasts and what you'd like to do to them in the bedroom. She did NOT regret throwing that beaker at that technician's face one bit.