network; open; forward-dated to the 15th

[sorser]

Who: Stephen Strange
Username: strange
Warnings: reference to multiple skin lacerations


There’s been an incident. ADI’s already given me the go-ahead to relay this to everyone for the sake of moving forward, so there’s no need to ask if the higher-ups are aware. They are.

When I’m not working in medical, I’ve taken up occasional volunteer work at the local hospital. Earlier today, Sable, one of ADI’s contacts at the docks, was admitted with severe lacerations along her right hand and arm. As she tells it, she’d found a box that was making odd noises, bound for Things of Beauty. She tried to be discreet about investigating whatever was inside, but it didn’t matter.

Again, according to her, she stuck her arm in to grab whatever was inside and paid for it immediately. Based on my own examination, her wounds looked like bite marks, and a lot of them. From very small mouths with very sharp teeth, about mice-sized, but the shape doesn’t match up with any kind of rodent I know about. Whatever it was, it took literal pieces of flesh off of her, and I can’t imagine how and it would've been if she hadn’t been wearing sleeves and thick gloves.

She’s already admitted it wasn’t the smartest move on her part, but that isn’t the point here. It’s a foregone conclusion by now that nothing good is happening at Things of Beauty; you may have been seeing the ads around recently, “a new year calls for a new you”. The promise to unveil a new product on the 16th — which is tomorrow, I should point out.

Basically: if what I saw today was a taste of things to come, I don’t have a lot of faith that it’s going to be an uneventful reveal. There’s a lot more harm in store, and what all of us decide to do with this information in the 11th hour is ultimately up to the individual.

Personally, I’m less of a wait-and-see kind of person. If there’s still a product being shipped and received this late in the game, then there’s still a chance to cut off what’s left of the supply. Impede the off-loading process, slash a few delivery truck tires, etc. Get creative, throw a wrench into things, create delays, because *time* is what we need for ADI to establish proper damage control and further investigation.

Whatever you do, just be careful about it. Don’t go sticking your hands into suspicious boxes, all right?

Comments

[sorser]

Apparently we have someone who knows exactly the right terminology to get a few people riled up. That’s more than enough of a reason to get the authorities involved, and even if it amounts to a waste of time, it's exactly what we’re aiming for.

You’re the second person who suggested bombs of all things, by the way.

[aelwyn_aberration]

[Sigh.]

This probably isn't helping with the hot-headed label I've been associated with for whatever reason.

But it seems like a reasonable plan to me. We can't strike at them directly without having to deal with the police, so they can do their jobs for once instead.

[And also die instead of anyone Aelwyn's come to care about.]

[sorser]

You said it, not me. I actually don't think it's a terrible plan. The caveat is that potentially leading police into a death trap is generally frowned upon, though I doubt Things of Beauty is willing to throw themselves that much into public scrutiny by maiming local authorities. It'd be a media circus.

[It's also a hope, not a guarantee.]

[aelwyn_aberration]

That's up to their own competency, not ours. I don't think a bomb threat is too inaccurate a description for whatever they're planning to release.

If the police can't handle it, then I'd say a full frontal assault of our own becomes a lot more likely.

Also, I noticed you were talking to Jeff about slashing the tires of the trucks, and I may have a suggestion regarding that?

[sorser]

They’d still be going in expecting something mundane, not supernatural. I don’t think they train for that at the police academy in Gloucester.

And sure. What’d you have in mind?

[aelwyn_aberration]

Probably not a lot, but again, I'd largely put that up to incompetence. But I do understand why it gives you pause.

Slashing tires isn't very subtle, and they'll quickly realize that the tires have been slashed and they'll move to replace them.

Sabotage the engine in a way that can't be easily fixed, however, and even once they've replaced the tires, they'll be unable to get far.

[sorser]

[This downplays how much of a pain in the ass it is to replace a tire, much less four, but Stephen has to admit it’s not a bad idea. What’s better than one problem? A second mechanical one.]

I’ll run it past him. Sabotaging tires is quick and easy; popping the hood of a delivery truck and disabling the engine is less subtle, but if he can manage it, I won’t discourage it.

You plan on making a trip to the docks yourself?

[aelwyn_aberration]

[In her defence, for her it was always just as simple as casting a single mending.]

I can supervise him. [Says girl who is worse.]

The local gangs around the dock know not to fuck with me by now, so I should be able to keep him out of trouble. Beyond that, I think I probably have a better shot at messing with the engines.

[sorser]

Then keep an eye out for each other. I’d prefer it everyone doesn’t run in solo, anyway.

Should I ask about the gangs?

[aelwyn_aberration]

I gave them a seminar on respecting women.

[Someone got shot.]

[sorser]

[Okay. Well.]

A violent one?

[aelwyn_aberration]

I didn't hurt anyone, no.

[Emphasis on the 'I'.]

[sorser]

Okay. Not the biggest stressor right now, but I'm obligated to say: just be careful in general. I don't like to see anyone end up in medical or the hospital if it can be avoided. That includes yourself.

[aelwyn_aberration]

I appreciate the concern but really, I feel as if there's people who need to hear it more. I'm always careful.

[sorser]

”I’m always careful” are very famous last words. That said, I won’t lecture you.

[Just, you know. Be careful.]

[aelwyn_aberration]

As someone motivated almost entirely by spite, I refuse to go out on an ironic note, so don't worry. It's not thematically possible.

[sorser]

[TEMPTING FATE BUT OK]

Then I’ll see you back in one piece.