apocalypsehowcomm | Event

Dogged

The message goes out to everyone on ADI's network. It seems to be something captured live. It's Pam Ruan, head of HR who holds a prosthetic finger up to her lips before whispering, "Everyone's pushing for transparency right now, right? Figuring out where threats are coming from and sharing. I think that should come at all levels. Let's see what Nia's talking about with Mr. Zyrian Steel, hmm?"

The camera flips around as Pam clearly creeps closer to an office door. There are muffled voices, and Pam sets the phone face up before using one hand to shove the thing under the door. The video shows a sliding picture of the office's bland ceiling for a moment before coming to a stop. The voices become much clearer.

"-down in Wolf Trap," a masculine voice is saying. Presumably, Zyrian Steel. "There's just no need for that."

"Zyrian, this ain't a negotiation." Nia Lehrer's voice is familiar to most people working at ADI at this point. They've likely heard her speak in some pre-recorded training videos at the bare minimum. Nia's tone is no nonsense and clearly on the edge of snapping in frustration. "You're not hiring us. I'm sending my people down to Wolf Trap next month. We've got evidence of those signalhead things being on the march, one down that way, your kick off for New Horizons in the park, and evidence out of there about the Lullaby Girl from some of my people."

There is silence.

"You remember her? Ava? Or Amber, it seems like. She's the one you gave us those Lucidio masks to help train our people against. Frankly, I'd be surprised if you don't remember her, Mr. S." Another drawn out pause. "You ain't been straight with me for a long time. You ain't been straight with ADI since Tawnya was Warden. You tell me you need us in Buffalo, payback for helping in Wolf Pen and Cortana and the mobile med units, and not only do half the staff come back with crab claws and whiskers, but I find out you're using us for business politics." There's venom in her tone. "Or were you just going to stay quiet about Etcher's enterprises competing with your own software companies? ADI is not your personal attack dog. You are our client. And I thought my friend. But I'm about 30 seconds away from firing you from both."

Further silence, then a heavy sigh. "And I was going to offer to send you and your staff on such a nice retreat." There's the sound of a chair being pushed back. "Warden, I think you misunderstand the nature of our relationship. You are the dogs. I am the master. I hold your leash. Or have you forgotten just how much technology I've donated to ADI over the years, how many of your systems run on things I built? We've had a mutually beneficial relationship up until now- Well… you and I have. Tawnya got to be a problem before the end, too. But I made sure that was taken care of."

"You self-aggrandizing son of a-"

"You're a much more practical woman than she ever was, even with those shiny ideals you hold so dear. You'll compromise for the greater good, to protect what's yours. Such a good Warden, looking out for her charges."

"What are you talking about? And get your hands the hell off my desk."

"Haven't you ever wondered about the title? Warden. Odd name for a leader of any organization, even one like yours. But maybe not so odd when you consider your more eldritch masters." A scoff. "The Hunt always does pick out the most oblivious avatars, doesn't it? What does a Warden do?" A beat. "She controls the monsters, Nia. Sniffs them out and contains them. And she goes after the poachers coming after her prey. Tell me, have you ever noticed how you're always picking up on threats far afield with uncanny precision. It's been getting stronger, hasn't it? Tawnya was the same way. As was her predecessor, I imagine."

"That's not- I wouldn't ever…"

"Wouldn't you, though? Every time you sent your own dogs after a threat, reveled in it, you were being such a good Warden, instilling terror in the hearts of your enemies, ADI's enemies. So many cults know who and what you are and they fear it. Fear the Warden of ADI, famed avatar of the Hunt. Even now, I know you've compromised yourself. Have you considered what that's done to you? You let that Visionary kid stay alive. I rather think that might have been the start of your slide, hmm? Making exceptions, just this once.

"Now," he continues, voice growing louder and footsteps starting toward the phone, "I realize this is a lot to take in, to think about. Why don't you do that self-reflection while I attend to other matters? You are doing good work, puppy. I need a dependable pet to take care of all those nasty pests who keep trying rituals. But no need to worry about the New Horizons launch, really. I'll just-" Zyrian pauses and everyone will have a view of a middle-aged caucasian man with dark, slightly graying hair and a beard. He's wearing khakis and a Hawaiian shirt, and he's looking down at Pam's phone.

"Well… fuck." He stomps a heeled shoe on it and the transmission ends abruptly.

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... Of what?

[ Inwardly, Power is suddenly cautious. Although she is, of course, brilliantly skilled at everything, she is... slightly less than brilliant at emotional support. She's really hoping that whatever the source of Rue's terror is, she'll be able to solve the problem by punching it. ]

Are you hurt? I can stop bleeding wounds, though I may have to frighten some birds first.

[Rue shakes their head, their large, impossibly wide eyes gone teary in their fear, before they wordlessly slip the coat from their shoulders and turn to show off their back.

And it is terrifying, their back feathers turned into grotesque fluttering insect wings, buzzing the moment the coat is removed, straining as if trying to fly away from the owlbear.]

What in...?

[ It isn't the most horrifying body transformation that she's ever seen - Rue would have to start sprouting extra heads and limbs for that to be the case - but it's certainly one of the weirdest. Power leans in close, reaches out a tentative finger to poke at the little wings. ]

How did this happen? Are they... are they truly insects?

[The wings flutter in the most grotesque way at that touch, leaving the owlbear to flinch at the very sensation.]

I - Oh, Power, I do not know! It began happening just this morning, only a few hours ago. I do not know what I did wrong! Or how to fix it.

[ Huh. Well, if Rue's already flinching at Power just barely touching the wings, then they would probably react badly to the idea of pulling them off entirely. For once, she doesn't push the idea - Rue is probably the most genuinely gentle-hearted person Power's ever met, and the idea of upsetting them doesn't sit well with her. ]

Could someone be playing a prank on you? Mayhaps they swapped your shampoo for honey?

[Knowing Power as they do, Rue deeply appreciates the woman doesn't try to pluck the wings from their body.]

This seems like quite the horrifying prank! I - I have heard others mention missing artifacts from ADI. I felt that perhaps it could be that, but I can not remember having encountered such a thing today...

Perhaps it was something very small? Small enough to not notice...

[ There's a pun somewhere in there about Rue being 'bugged', but Power isn't savvy enough to notice it. ]

Something like a paperclip? A piece of candy?

[oh. well. Rue hadn't even begun down that line of thought. Their beak clacks together nervously.]

You think it could still be on me?

Bend down! We shall see.

[ If Rue obliges her by bending down, Power will lean in uncomfortably close and take a deep, long sniff of their feathers.

... And when she doesn't smell anything unusual, Power will just start zipping around Rue, checking them out from every possible angle. She's gotta be thorough! ]

Event - Dogged

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