02. [video]

[oncearanger]

[The face of a man about sixty-five years old appears on screen. He's squinting at the blasted device through glasses that he's very glad he kept, but he would still struggle to make a text post at the moment---not with his old prescription. The voice is rougher, but still recognizable as Billy's to the few people he knows.]

Please answer this question for me: it's urgent.

Is extreme accelerated aging a known side effect of the transporter? I have several other hypotheses about my sudden condition, but this is the first I should test. And if you know of any cures for this condition, I'd appreciate a pointer. I'm drawing up my own attempts at a cure, but there's not much I can do with our limited supplies.

[He sighs wearily.]

I calculate that I'll age to the point of death within the next 36 hours, or sooner if it accelerates further, so there's not much that I have to lose.

((ooc: The aging is a canon event caused by his own tinkering at home gone wrong with a delayed reaction. And there's a canon medicine that would likely be at the Hold, but he hasn't a clue.))

Comments

[voice]

[vaudevil]

[Wonderful, now Lee's going to wonder the same thing now since he appears a lot younger than his chronological age. Best not to assume or he'll get wrinkles too.]

Not that I am aware of though the concern is relatively alarming.

[voice]

[oncearanger]

Thanks. I'll keep my ears open for more, though it's time to consider my other main hypothesis.

Do you know anything about age manipulation, by any chance?

[voice]

[vaudevil]

It depends on the method of manipulation, but yes, I am familiar with it.

I wonder if the device used had caused some shift within your body to created your particular problem. The first question I must ask is what were you doing the moment you were brought here?

It may seem irrelevant, but maybe it could offer some insight if there was something chemical there instead of time shift to balance ration upon your arrival.

[voice]

[oncearanger]

I was walking home from a meeting with my friends.

[In a softer voice]

I was forced to alter my age with a device some months before that. I wonder if it was a delayed reaction.

[voice]

[vaudevil]

[Lee lets out a small sound.]

Ooh, that can be tricky. I would suspect what you are saying is correct. I could develop a serum to aid you temporarily, though the side effects are a little, how do I put this, annoying.

[Increased stamina, libido, energy, it's like being a teenager all over again. If only he knew that was Billy's actual age before he suggested it.]

[voice]

[oncearanger]

What are the side effects, and how quickly could you do this? I might be able to help.

[voice]

[vaudevil]

They vary depending upon the person but we'll discuss that after the serum is complete. I won't waste either of our time since it's of the essence at this point. You mentioned thirty-six hours, yes?

I can have it done before then to buy you some time.

[eyecontact]

It's happened to me and other people before...
You should tell the scientists at the Initiative really quick! I think they're the only ones who can actually do something about it.

[text]

[oncearanger]

[Ah, there's font size enhance. Good. A few minutes later:]

I will, but...I wonder why. Did you ever find out if it was a side effect?

[eyecontact]

I think it had something to do with the missions we were going on...They didn't realize the effects it'd have on us, going back and forth.

[oncearanger]

I haven't been on a mission yet. That's strange. Maybe it really was the transporter and I was just highly susceptible to it.

[eyecontact]

Maybe...but you should wonder about that later! Go and get help! [before you get old-people forgetful!]
Do you need help getting there?

[oncearanger]

I have a makeshift cane to take with me. I'm not aging so rapidly that I can't make it there, or at least I don't think so.

1/2

[kungfublackfrog]

[Oh no.

OH. SHIT. NO.

Not this again. The last time this happened, they barely managed to get the cure to him. Then again, Billy was pulled after being rejected by the Gold Ranger powers. Why didn't he remember this part now?!]

2/2 [Voice because screw texting this is faster]

[kungfublackfrog]

I'm coming over.

[It's not 'do you want me to come over' because that would mean Billy has a say in the situation. In this case, he doesn't.]

[voice]

[oncearanger]

[Billy catches this on his way down the stairs. He sighs quietly and hits reply.]

I'm on my way to Medical. I'm sure you'll beat me there. Tell me what's going on when you do.

[voice]

[kungfublackfrog]

[...making a detour. Don't mind hearing some people being surprised. It was just Adam most likely scaring some poor Initiative member by ways of running.]

Yeah, and hopefully they'll know where to find the cure.

[voice]

[oncearanger]

...Right.

Did I just hear someone scream?

[voice]

[kungfublackfrog]

...nope.

[But there will be an occasional swear.]

I'll be in medical in a minute.

video;

[bikininspector]

[Holy crap that's just what they needed.]

How long ago have you arrived, when did this start to happen, how old were you to begin with?

video;

[oncearanger]

A month, overnight, and 18. Do you have any experience with this sort of problem?

video;

[bikininspector]

Not this particular one and I'm new to this place, but I've got some experience with the strange. What happened in the day leading up to the change?

video;

[oncearanger]

I was tinkering with my projects in the garage. At the moment I'm working on a motorized wheelchair, and I don't see how that would trigger an age change.

It might've been something further back.

video;

[bikininspector]

It might've - or it might've been something really small. Anything strange happened at all while you were in the garage? Anything from flickering lights to a shadow that didn't seem right -

video;

[oncearanger]

I hardly remember what normal is anymore these days. But no, nothing of the sort sticks out in my memory.