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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Violent, murderous, and out of their mind, [ he dryly responds. ]

Maybe your face is just extremely punchable.

[ Look, she will agree with the first two things, 'violent and murderous' are practically compliments to her! ]

Obviously, I'd have to disagree on that one.

[ Huff huff huff! Pout pout pout! ]

I almost punched you. Isn't that proof enough?

[ NO REMORSE!! ]

You look like you'd have punched a lot of people, [ he dryly points out. ] That doesn't say anything about the punchable or not punchable state of my face.

I have!

[ And she sounds very proud of this! Power stands up and dusts herself off, though she doesn't offer Elias a hand up. ]

Regardless, you should be more careful. Your cologne-stink may not be enough to ward off more attackers.

It will if they were enthralled by whatever artifact you and Stephanie were, [ he points out, with a little shrug. ] The two of you acted remarkably similar. It only made sense to try the same methods to snap you out of it.

[ Also, rude Power. Elias pushes himself upright, stretching slightly to try and work out any kinks in his spine from being pushed to the floor. ]

[ She gives a sagely nod, as if she and Stephanie clearly had the right idea. ]

Maybe you should really douse yourself in it. Make sure to ward off anyone else who would try to punch you.

Or I'll simply carry some on me and spray any further attackers like they're a naughty cat, [ he says, with a teasing tone in his voice. ]

Aim for the eyes! 'Twould blind them before they could strike!

[ ... Wait. Power, who on her better days is basically a bratty feral cat that is slowly being socialized, bristles. That could just as easily be applied to her!! ]

... Turn it on me though, and you shall regret it!

[ He can't help but chuckle at Power's overwhelming enthusiasm meeting the fact that she's dumb as a bag of posts. ]

Rest assured, I'll only turn it on you should you try to attack me again.

[ LISTEN, HE'S NOT WRONG, AND SHE IS ABSOLUTLEY NOT SULKING ]

Try not to let your face become extremely punchable again.

I'll give it my best shot, [ he sasses. ]

Event - Dogged

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