exsilium | 02. [video]

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02. [video]

[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.))

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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?

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.

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.

[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.]

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

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.

Thank you. I'm in apartment 209. I'll discuss repayment when the time comes.

Of course and your apartment is noted and logged for reference. I'll get started right away.

[He wastes no more time and closes the feed on his end.]

[A few hours later, Billy found himself almost forced over to Medical. As it turned out, there was serum already waiting for him there. He's cured after a few treatments, but---]

Hey. It's Billy again. I'm sorry about all the trouble, but a serum was already found for me at Medical. I'm all right now. I'll still compensate you for the time and effort, of course, but I was wondering if we could meet to discuss what you developed sometime? I'm curious now.

I would very much be happy to discuss with you what I have. To hear this news is very much a relief indeed and thank you. I'll be honest with you. I am one of the many scientists that is employed by the Initiative and what I have currently is a lot of things that I could really use the help with. You seem curious. I would like to meet with you presently if possible. My name is Lee Chaolan and it is a pleasure that I get to meet a bright mind.

I'd be happy to take a look. I'm mainly a mechanic, but I've worked in chemistry and defense development when I needed to. I'm Billy Cranston, pleased to meet you---better now that I'm not under that time pressure. Let me know where and I'll lend a hand.

Excellent! Back home, I am a robotics engineer with some back ground in genetics and biochemistry and I started working with environmental sciences here. It's a bit of learning and a lot of trial and error but any help would be most appreciated. Billy, my workshop is located [_insert location_] here, just outside of the city along the border of the Outlands. It was the most isolated place I could find that should an explosion occur, it wouldn't cause damage to the city or the surrounding properties. Your expertise would be most helpful. Currently, I'm working on a means to break the clouds so we can work on more projects for bio fuels for machine work and other ways to aid in clearing up the toxins that surround us.

Oh, I also know a lot about robotics. It was a favorite field of mine, alongside vehicle work. All right, I'll head out there whenever you're free for an appointment. I've helped someone else with that project, I believe, and I have a few suggestions for breaking the clouds. I'll see you soon.

[If Billy could see his face, he's as happy as a lark right now. Having someone that knows what to do and has experience in it has him feeling that much more confident.]

How about we meet Friday? I'll have all day to dedicate to the project and you can get some much needed rest after your mishap. It will give me some time to finish up some smaller projects in the meantime.

That'd be fine with me! Thanks. I've been looking for work like this for a while. And I hope it's enough to repay you.

Not at all and thank you for your help once again. You have no idea how valuable a resource you would be in a project like this. It would be more than enough. I'll continue making the serum in case you need it. Ah, that's right, you asked out the side effects. It would mentally put you in a state of being a teenager with a high libido. Physically, it would revert you back to your original state before the aging process began. The effects don't last long, but it is a bit...strange at first. Moodiness, high energy, and the elevated T levels are the biggest factors I've seen.

[He's tested it on himself to know and yep, it's not pretty. That's why he's sticking to robots.]

That's all? It's...well, it doesn't sound pleasant, but it can't be that bad. I'm 18 years old, though I wouldn't say my hormones have ever been particularly over-active. I'd just keep myself confined for a few hours until the effects passed.

Oh, then this should be normal for you other than the elevated T. It's actually a relief, to be honest. Being 18 is a good time. 19 is even better. 21 is overrated.

Any particular reason why?

Hangovers. Oh, don't get me wrong, the parties are a blast, it's the morning after that made me want to chew my own arm off at times. Coyote ugly is an understatement.

Ah. I have the opportunity here, I suppose, but I've stuck to coffee so far. Maybe that was a wise choice.

It's a much better choice. Less likely to make those mistakes. Don't do it!

Trust me, I'll keep the advice in mind.

I'll see you Friday!

Excellent!

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