06 △ VIDEO

[neveraskedforthis]

[ Video--coming from Adam's tablet for once, and not his retinal enhancements. it shows him, obviously in his messy apartment, and obviously... different from what one might be used to. he's neither properly dressed nor his usual stoic, composed, monotone self.

but most notably, the lenses of his shades--which are mounted to his head--are retracted. his eyes are visibly artificial. here's the usual gravely voice: ]

...And they keep dragging more and more people here. Or is that the machine malfunctioning again? Can't be sure anymore.

Anyway, hello. My name's Adam Jensen and I'm -- [ insert vague, dismissive gesture here--his hand, too, is artificial and looks like it's made out of black metal. ] ... who the fuck even cares. I'm the local oversized can opener. Hi.

[ if it wasn't obvious before that he's drunk, it's sure as hell now. ]

Given the uh, premise under which you all arrived here as well as the popularity of thought-provoking surveys lately, let's talk about a topic each of you surely can contribute to with a story or two. Since I couldn't help but notice that we're quite a miserable bunch of misfits. Exceptions prove the rule by the way.

[ pause, during which he reaches off screen... for his smoke. ]

So, broken dreams. There's a pretty catchy song on them by Green Day which I can only recommend. But before you scurry off to find it, why don't we share with the class why we're all so damn bitter, and not only since we ended up in this shithole. Though I guess the shithole made it worse, in some cases. I don't know. Getting it off your chest might have a soothing effect, or something.

[ another pause, and he seems pensive for a moment. he might be able to offer alternative treatment methods for your troubles which may involve punching ahem. ]

Here, I'll start. I was planning to get married not too long ago, start a family. I had the perfect girl, a decent job I liked and paid well, and then--then science happened.

[ a dry, humorless chuckle. ]

Gotta love science. Your turn.

Comments

[video]

[shelkethetransparent]

People have suggested that, yes.

[Shelke spent the last ten years dependent on people she truly hated, deep down. It's not something she's particularly motivated to repeat.]

I will if I must.

[video]

[neveraskedforthis]

Not fond of the idea?

[video]

[shelkethetransparent]

No.

I'd rather find something I can acquire myself.

[video]

[neveraskedforthis]

I can sympathize, but I wouldn't risk it. Dying is not a pleasant experience.

[video]

[shelkethetransparent]

I would imagine not.

As I said, if I cannot find something else, I will go and speak to them.

[video]

[neveraskedforthis]

And how much time do you have left to 'find something else'?

[video]

[shelkethetransparent]

...Two weeks if I am careful.

[video]

[neveraskedforthis]

... That's not very long.

How about, you go to the Initiative guys right now... consider they might need some time to recreate the substance you need. It might be too late if you wait any longer.

Then when you're safe, you can still look for an alternative.

[video]

[shelkethetransparent]

And if I go to them, and whatever substitute they are able to create, if they are even able to do so, alters whatever is already fundamentally wrong with me, and makes it so I cannot ever switch to another solution?

[She's given this a lot of thought, man.]

[video]

[neveraskedforthis]

... Now you're just sounding paranoid.

I mean you can do what you want in the end, but uh, considering how they're already able to control us by simply keeping us here... it seems like a pointless risk to take.

[video]

[shelkethetransparent]

I was kidnapped as a child, tortured, turned into a weapon and forced to spend ten years a prisoner surrounded by people driven mad by their own transformations. And just when I thought I might be free, I was brought here.

I am not paranoid, I am...judging from what has already happened.

[video]

[neveraskedforthis]

All right...

[ what can he say against that, seriously. ]

So who were those people, if I might ask?

[video]

[shelkethetransparent]

Which ones?

[video]

[neveraskedforthis]

The ones that did all that to you.

[video]

[shelkethetransparent]

The Shinra Corporation. They were an energy that took over the world. Deepground was one of their dirty little secrets. [She shakes her head.] I was taken for that program and experimented on by a madman named Hojo, and other scientists.

[video]

[neveraskedforthis]

... And nobody ever tried to stop them? I mean it's not exactly legal... is it.

[video]

[shelkethetransparent]

It is...complicated. Governments before that were decentralized. They were able to take over the towns were once Midgar through commercial means, the mayor became a puppet, the towns became a city.

Once they were the government there, they just...invaded the other places. No one could stand against mako-driven technology and SOLDIER.

[video]

[neveraskedforthis]

... Doesn't sound much better than this place here. Or rather, the rest of this world.

[video]

[shelkethetransparent]

I suppose not.

I'm still learning about the rest of this world.

[video]

[neveraskedforthis]

There's not much to learn--then again, not much info is available to begin with. I'm really trusting neither side in this.

[video]

[shelkethetransparent]

I'm inclined to agree. If I can find the material to construct a synaptic net dive relay here, I may be able to access sections of the networks here on this world they do not wish us to see.

But finding the materials for a relay may not even be possible.

[video]

[neveraskedforthis]

... Not sure how much success you'll have with that, but it's worth a try.

[ adam tried hacking their databases. well, he was close. ]

What do you need?

[video]

[shelkethetransparent]

Mostly I will need electronics I can rebuild, everything I used in my equipment was redesigned by me. No one else can create it.

[video]

[neveraskedforthis]

Go chat up Chloe. Chloe Frazer. She might be able to get you the parts you need.

Re: [video]

[shelkethetransparent]

What makes her qualified for that?

[Shelke does prefer to know who she's working with.]