sort_operative

[The post begins with what sounds like a quiet, thrilled little chuckle, distinctly masculine, middle-aged. There is a soft sound that follows, like fingers stroking something slowly, carefully.]

Fascinating... Not very sanitary, but fascinating.

I'm not quite certain where I am, but I have the distinct feeling I am aware of how I got here.

My name is Doctor Edward Kirk. Would someone be so kind... to direct me toward the nearest technologically equipped facility not completely spoiled by the rot that seems to have claimed this city? I have something I must confirm posthaste. Cooperation would be sincerely appreciated.

[With a satisfied noise from Doctor Kirk the transmission cuts out.]

...Anyone got any bandages? I feel like one massive walking wound about now.

...For the record, I hope whoever stole my panties somehow manages to strangle themselves with them.

That is all.

Thank you.

...Minsc, Prince, thank you both.

It's all right now, I'm -- I'm OK.

I guess I'll never again be one of those people who say the stuff in movies can't happen to me, huh?

Leon, you got the bastard? I'd... can I see him? Best to face him now or I'll be having nightmares for weeks.

Lucifer -- I meant what I said.

[Regina's breath is shaky and its' obvious she's been running hard. It sounds as though she is fumbling with the device in hand, the metal of the casing clattering against that of her gun. A moment later she realizes that the device is already on and recording.]

Sh-shit... finally!

[Her footsteps quicken, hitting the ground hard. They're muted at first, as though upon snow or grass, and then give way to the sound of rocks under her boots.] He's fast, really... really fast!

It was just like... [She pants heavily, thinking about it, still pushing herself...]

...like in that dream, with that guy, and the...

[There's an unidentified noise in the background and she stops, the sounds of rocks skidding underfoot. She holds her breath, listening... listening......]

Could have... could have sworn I heard something. I gave him the slip, though... I--

[Her breath hitches.] That light...! Sh-shit!!

Jaime! Angeal, Ada... guys... I need backup, NOW!

I--

[A second set of footsteps is approaches, running faster than Regina's had been, and harder. The sound of heavy breathing follows, deep and guttural, as well as a curse from Regina as she breaks off running again. There are shots fired, several in succession, and there is a loud crunch as her communicator is dropped. Her footsteps fade. The second set race past, and fade also. After several minutes of silence, the device times out and shuts off.......]

...A cupcake, huh?

Should I be accepting dessert from the Devil?

Right... sand? It's not as cozy a pillow as one might think. My back is killing me, and I have such a kink in my neck...!

Lucifer, next time there's a sleepover, let's do it at my place. The beach just doesn't cut it, even if the view is unsurpassed.

( Private to Ada//Unhackable )

It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack... Jeeze.

( Private to the Task Force//Filtered from Prince//Unhackable )

[Her voice is clipped as the communicator is turned on, the post beginning.]

Ryuzaki, Terra... meet at headquarters. We'll head out from there to investigate, as per Jaime's orders.

Elena, forgive my overhearing your conversation with Jaime earlier... but I ask you wait until we complete our report before removing the body of your companion, even if you arrive ahead of us. If our records are incomplete, it will only hinder the objective of finding the person responsible.

I understand it's become something you and your companions want to investigate also, but the more we know, the better. It would be fair for both sides to have a complete analysis in case either one of us overlooks anything that could potentially become crucial evidence.

...Also, I really hope you aren't showing up alone, girlie. Even if you aren't exactly on our side, it'd be a shame to lose another one.

[Sighing, Regina starts to pace. It appears she's already at the rendezvous point. A moment later she turns the communicator off.]

[The transmission begins with a repetitive tapping, one that sounds suspiciously like fingernails dancing across a tabletop. After a few moments of this, a tiny, contemplative sound is heard, and then Regina begins speaking quietly into the microphone.]

I thought this place couldn't possibly be worse than what I was used to, and though I still believe that to be true, I'm really starting to see that living here isn't without its' own complications, either.

Those dreams, for starters. More like... hallucinations behind closed eyes.

And the attacks... people losing control of themselves, doing... things that they wouldn't normally do. I guess, allied or not, we all have our work cut out for us, huh?

Some of you seem to know each other from your own times... or is it more accurate to say worlds? That sounds so sci-fi to me, still, not that it should. I mean, I am rather used to things happening that shouldn't be happening - it kind of comes with the trade, some instances being more extreme, such as with this case.

But it's still strange. It's one thing to be face-to-face with dinosaurs that shouldn't be there, and another to be face-to-face with people... because you can get involved with people... you can grow to care about them, and through that you can get hurt more easily.

...I'm not sure what I'm trying to say. Gail would probably tell me to can it. Rick would probably make some crack about my programming for female dramatics finally kicking in. The thing is... this isn't a problem I can shoot at until it goes away. All I can really do is try to get by like everyone else, and try to help those that need a little push in the right direction.

Speaking of others... Matt? Really glad you're OK. Maybe... maybe this is a good sign. Nobody died this time. Maybe we'll get lucky, and next time nobody will, either.

[Sighing, Regina rises from wherever she is sitting, the only sound heard before the post ends being that of a chair scraping against the floor, and footsteps.]

[A soft blip signifies the start of transmission. Regina's voice is clear as a bell when she speaks, sounding resolute and determined.]

Jaime Lannister, my name is Regina.

I'm something of a new arrival here, and I've been referred to you by a man named Prince who was kind enough to answer a few questions I had.

I was told that I was to speak with you about joining the Task Force that operates here to keep this town safe. I'm on my way to headquarters now.

I felt it was fair to give you a head's up - I'm sure unexpected visits aren't all that welcome around here.

[The connection terminates. The user has logged off.]

[Regina flips open her communicator, accidentally triggering a voice post to commence. The tiny blip the device makes attracts her attention, and she makes a quiet, thoughtful noise. A soft tapping is heard, and then a mutter.]

Useless... I wonder who left me with this other device? I guess it'll come in handy, though. My own communicator isn't working - but if that's the case, I probably won't be able to contact Rick or Gail.

[She shifts, and then begins walking. It sounds as though she is trudging through long grass of some sort, or tall, but sparse bushes. Her breathing is even, but she is all around quiet, quite obviously on alert.]

There's no sign of anybody... No footprints, no trails... Gail...? Rick?

That would figure... They had better be doing something useful. Like setting camp or something. My feet... are killing me.

...Doctor Kirk? Anybody?

[Despite her calling, there is no answer. Everything is quiet. Regina doesn't appear to like this, and makes a noise of disapproval. It sounds as though she is drawing a weapon, the sound of metal being unsheathed from a leather holster, but it doesn't appear as though she feels threatened. The device times out, the voice post terminating. Several minutes pass - perhaps half an hour. The device buzzes to life again, Regina's voice ringing loud and clear as she speaks into the microphone.]

There's a town not far from here. I don't remember any town from before, though... Did we crash on another island or something?

I guess it doesn't matter... I'll investigate. Somebody is sure to know something.

It should be a good sign that half an hour's passed and I haven't been attacked by anything with rows of sharp teeth or bacteria infested saliva dripping from its' jaw. I could get used to this scenery, even if it is a little dingy. No giant lizards... no running for my life.

So what if it looks like someone crashed a really awesome party? And took out buildings while they were at it...

[She sighs softly, finally seeming to emerge from the long grass, stumbling onto a clear path and heading forward.]

...How far did we go? There's snow everywhere, here. Last I recall I was roasting in tropical weather and spandex was too warm - now I want a parka.

Hey - what's that? Hello...? You deaf...? Jeeze... some people...

[Quickening her pace, Regina starts off toward something that has caught her attention. She turns off the communicator, ending the post mid-stride.]