Auxesia - Stories on the Eidolon Wraith

[A/)- The Inner Phalanx]

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It costs an arm and a leg...

After resting a while longer, Hunt awoke again and yawned. He turned his head and looked at Raven, a small smile growing on his face. He kept his arm around her, taking a brief look around the room. Slowly waking up, Raven groaned out in question. "Urhh?" She pushed herself up from the bed, and looks around at the scenario, "Oh. " She said softly. "Hey..." Hunt smiled at her, sitting up slightly. Raven turns to look at him. "Uh, hi. " She replied. "Sleep well?" Asked Hunt. "Uhhhh... Moderately. Still get those Omicron dreams. " Raven begins to get out of bed. "Don't worry about it though. I have things to do. " She said, standing up and stretching. "Right. Need me for uh, anything today?" Hunt crawled out of bed and stretched. "Who'd you go to talk to last night?" Asked Hunt. He approached his wardrobe, which had a rack of equipment beside it, as well as his S-1 Combat Armor stood with the frame open and waiting. "I'm surprised myself but, William Foulke requested to see me last night, and he decided to return." Replied Raven, as she began to secure her robe. "Oh. Wasn't he on Nauru?" Asked Hunt, recalling the time he nearly coordinated a rescue attempt, many months ago. "Was, then more or less flipped me off and ran further into the Omicrons." Answered Raven. "Why the change in attitude, then?" Hunt asked as he sifted through his equipment by his wardrobe. "Guilt caused his anger." Stated Raven. "I requested him to see Glass as soon as possible though. He lost a leg and an arm loitering on uncharted planets." She continued. Raven picked up her communicator and looked over at Hunt. Hunt typed in the sequence for his armor, and stepped into the frame. The suit began to close, sealing around his body. He left his helmet open, and returned to sifting through his equipment.

"I see. That'd explain the beep from your communicator earlier." Hunt strapped on his cloak, leaving the hood down. He turned and walked over to Raven. "My beep?" Asked Raven, tilting her head slightly. "Your communicator beeped." Answered Hunt. "Oh right, I sent out two messages." Said Raven. "I don't remember a second beep. I fell asleep after Nesrin stopped messaging me." He shrugged, and leaned over. He gave her a brief kiss. "Duty calls. So where am I needed today?" Inquired Hunt, rolling his shoulders in his armor slightly. "Well. I'll see if Foulke is up firstly. " She writes in her datapad to Foulke's address.[TEXT Raven -> Foulke: Hey. I'm ready to show you the way to the appointment whenever you're ready. The Wraith is moored to the gate already, so, I'll be loitering around the entrance. ] "Well, Hunt, I'll be hanging around the mooring bridge." Said Raven. She gave hi a brief hug, and leaves the room, headed for the entrance of the vessel's mooring collar. She leans against the wall, waiting, noticing the occasional workers waddling by, doing their job. She sighed. Pike had arrived, joining her as she waited to assist where necessary. He leaned against the wall opposite of her, staring down the mooring bridge and waiting ever so patiently for Foulke to arrive.

In the lonely room aboard the city ship which had been given to William Foulke for his stay, the silence of the air was broken by a flurry of blankets being thrown across the room. Foulke propped himself up with his arm and looked around, eyes wide open with panic and distress. That state of emergency soon faded as he remember where he was, and his eyes relaxed. Looking down, he could see the countless scars all over him, now accompanied by two new stubs where his left leg and right arm used to be. With a heavy sigh, he dragged himself over to a cane by his bedside and began the process of preparing himself for the day. After about an hour of getting ready, he departed his quarters to seek out the Eidolon, arriving at the arrival gate Raven had designated. With each step, he had trouble maintaining his balance. Before even rounding the corner, he slipped on his cane and collapsed to the ground. Foulke doubted if he could ever get used to life like this. Hearing the impact, Raven runs around the corner, crouching down, helping him up by supporting him, eventually securing support by his shoulder, "Are you okay?" she asks with concern. Stumbling about for some time, Foulke latches on to Raven for support, clumsily getting back up onto his cane. He sighs and shrugs, giving her a bit of a pained look. "Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry, it's just... Feels like they're still there sometimes. Makes it hard to move and get up properly." Replied Foulke. Pike approached the pair on the walk-way, in a suit of black armor with a blue visor. He extended an arm out, lowering his rifle to allow it to hang on the strap. "I'll take over, Keeper." Said Pike. "No-noonono, it's fine, Pike." Raven carries on, supporting him.

Meanwhile, Miranda sits in the medical room of the Eidolon, refusing to leave Foulkes side, she had transferred into the Wraith. She made a promise to Foulke, to never let him go again. She rubbed her shoulder anxiously in the medical bay, scrutinously observing every detail of the room, training her ears for sounds down the hallway while waiting for the expected Foulke and medical chief. Maybe she herself needed some checking up. Raven assists Foulke in his pilgrimage to the medical bay, occasionally passing a few crew members,

she orders one of them to open up the way for him, supporting him through. She guides him to a nearby bed, helping him sit. "I cannot fathom how it feels. " she takes a step back, typing a message to Glass, inviting him over. Pike had followed them through the halls, standing by if needed. Eventually reaching the med-bay, he set himself up by the door, leaning on the wall. Meanwhile, Glass received the message and grabbed his cane. He left his office and hurried his way to the med-bay. Passing through the doors, he looked around. "Good evening." He said calmly. "Right, right... I don't know how much use I'll be in this state. Try not to waste too many of the expensive parts on me," Foulke joked, grunting as he made his way to the med-bay. Foulke smiled at Miranda, though in his smile was a nervous twitch. He found it difficult to even look at her, knowing what she had been through because of him. "Well, let's get this checked out." He said.

"Well, it's the compatibility check to see if your body even rejects the implants. And a general check-up. " Said Raven, staring over at Michael. Michael gestured to a nearby bed and leaned his weight on his cane, alleviating any discomfort. Miranda sits away from the scene in front of her, sitting on a bench at the end of the room. She winces leaning forwards out of instinct, a totally involuntary action. She cringes and stops herself, looking at Raven and Michael nervously. "Sh-Should I just sit?" She asked, uncertain if she was welcome or not. Michael nods. "For now. Once his scan is under-way, I can take a look at you if you require." He said, looking over his shoulder. Raven steps over to the wall, leaning against it. She watches over the procedure, then looks at Miranda, "Are you okay?" She asked with sincerity. Miranda sits back slightly, looking between both the people over Foulke "I'm... I'm fine... just worried right now... I suppose after these last weeks I may need some evaluation..." She said in response. As Foulke lay across the bed, the machinery folded down over-top and began to scan his body for any damage, alterations, inconsistencies, and incompatibilities. Michael powered on the monitor of the scanner as it collected its results, and turned to approach Miranda. Miranda steps back slightly but tightens up, standing in front of Glass rubbing an arm anxiously. Foulke closed his eyes and breathed in slowly as the scanner did its work. Uncomfortable under the lights, he winced as the machine whirred and toiled to assess his condition. He bit his lip ever so slightly.

Glass took a look at Miranda. "You needn't fear." He said with a slight smile. "Simply choose a bed, and I'll prepare a scanner." He gestured around the room at the various empty beds. Miranda nods, taking a glance around the room "Sorry Glass, people know I'm usually more composed than this... just... all that's happened in the past day has shaken me up, its the whole reason im still here." She sighs, shaking her head and walking towards one of the beds, taking a seat on the side before leaning down taking a deep breath. Glass turned and followed her over. "Composure and uncertainty often conflict. Recent events can cause such." Glass briefly typed into the bed's console. Like the other bed, the scanner folded down and began to work, scanning Miranda's body. "It'll take a few minutes, so try to relax." Said Michael. "I'm going to investigate your friend." He turned and approached the other bed. The scanner came to a halt by the head of the bed, and the screen flashed. An informative 'beep' was emitted from the machinery, signaling its completion. Glass approached the console and began to read. "Let's take a look, shall we?" He said with an undertone of enthusiasm. The machine began to list off various items it detected. Glass, using his finger, scrolled through the list. "Beyond the obvious physical limb loss, you're severely scarred. There is some minor nerve-end damage, yet nothing that isn't livable. Preliminary blood scans suggest no infection or alterations, and nothing that would indicate complications of a bionic replacement of both limbs. A sample would be required to further investigate that." Glass noted to Foulke, and Raven. "In addition, you're somewhat low on iron, and should probably get some rest." He finished, uploading the scans to his personal console. "Now then." Glass walked to the edge of the bed. "I assume you're looking for standard replacements? No augments?" He asked.

Raven inspects Foulke's reaction, then looks at Glass, "Well, it's good to know there was nothing else. " Being unsure if her comment was out of place, she checks people for reactions briefly. Foulke shuddered at the mention of scarring. He looked up at Glass, taking in the information delicately and processing it for a moment. Distracted by thoughts of Miranda, he spaced out for a brief moment, before nodding his head in agreement with the good doctor's words. "Right, yeah. Anything to get better, I guess. And will she be alright?" he asked, pointing to Nagase. Michael nodded at his question. "She's simply undergoing a general examination. Nothing to be concerned about." He replied. "As for your bionics, do you want anything special?" He asked. Raven took her datapad out of her robe and began to take notes. Foulke scratched his stub slightly, thinking about the question. "Well, I have to ask, what kind of options would I be looking it in regards to that?" Michael crossed his arms. "Well, the obvious option is concealment. A silicon-based simulated skin layer. That's already planned. What can be done for your leg isn't as exponential as what can be done with your arm, but the most common addition is a built-in shock absorption system for high falls, if you don't mind landing on one leg." Glass chuckled lightly. "As for your arm, a concealed weapon of some sort, be it blade or firearm - the latter of which wouldn't be as efficient as a standard sidearm, but works if you're disarmed. In addition, a powered-servos for increased impact. Essentially increasing the force arm can deal, beyond its already mechanical capabilities." Finished Michael.

"Well, I gotta hand it to you, doctor. Those seem to be good for me. Quite liking the sound of something to bolster my capabilities in close range. I can investigate that avenue for improvement. I appreciate the false skin, as well. Might make the transition easier..." Jested Foulke. Raven blinks at him. "Wow. And I thought I was brutal with Stone's joke. " She said in response. Michael nodded. "Your arm and leg would be virtually indistinguishable from your natural skin, beyond temperature. I take it you'd prefer a blade of sorts?" He asked. "Blade works, yeah. Maybe something that can dispatch people easily, like a taser of some sort." Responded Foulke, pondering on the topic. Glass stroked his chin briefly. "I have something in mind. Give me a moment to reach one of the workshops." Glass nodded to the Keeper. "I trust you can handle any questions while I'm gone?" Asked Michael. "Uh... y-yeah. " Raven finishes noting down on the datapad, putting it in her pocket. "I'm taking a page from the Curator's leg designs for mister Foulke. The arm is something I already have in stock, but it requires some finishing touches." Said Michael. Raven simply nods in response. "Of course," Michael turned to Foulke. "You realize with this modification, you won't be able to have a simulated skin layer on your forearm or hand." He noted. Foulke nods at Glass. "I can always wear a glove or long sleeves. It's all good." He replied. He nods at Glass. "I can always wear a glove or long sleeves. It's all good."

"Before I forget." Glass walks over to Miranda's bed console and examines the results. Joking, "Forgetting on the job? Tsssssssssssk. Bad Glass." Raven smirks. Glass chuckles. "Amusing." Miranda blows a piece of hair out of her eye, surprised at the length from how short and choppy she keeps her hair, thinking to herself. Glass examined the screen. "Well, miss Nagase. You've got some slight increase in your blood pressure, due to stress. That should subside with time. Otherwise, you're healthy." Glass smiled. Miranda rolled her eyes, getting up and dusting her shoulder off "Good to hear, its felt worse than that at times... I'm honestly surprised I don't have some form of depression." She stands up, a hand on her hip looking over at Glass and Raven. "I cannot dictate mental health without a session in my office." Retorted Glass. "If you require an evaluation, contact me and I will schedule you in for a visit." Glass turned to leave, yet stopped in his tracks. "Before I forget - Keeper. You've yet to schedule the two notes I mentioned in my message." He mentioned. Ravn blinks in response. "Uh?" Michael chuckled lightly. "Another session in my office, as well as a general scan for your health. It's been a while since... Well, your last check-up." Glass noted. "In the meantime, I'll return in ten minutes." Glass turned to leave. "Oh. " Raven readjusts her robe. "Uh. After this then." She replied. Michael walked out of the med-bay and headed down the hall.

Miranda stands looking between the two, dismissing Glass with a thought in her head, slightly curious of what was going on, but nonetheless shoving it aside and walking towards Foulke, smiling when making eye contact. Raven loiters in the room, awaiting for him to return with the designs. She looks towards the Foulke and Miranda, inspecting them briefly. Foulke lies back, supporting himself with one arm. "What happened, Raven? We were nothing but a ragtag group of pilots asking for handouts from the Hellfire Legion. And now all this..." He asked. Raven sighed. "As I said, time went on, we merged with what little we have with the Initiative, and started to build up over time." She paused. "Things change, Foulke." She folds her arms, leaning back against the wall. Miranda rolls her eyes Ironically, still standing near Foulke "You don't say..." She said sarcastically. "No, I did just say it." The sarcasm flies over Raven's head. "Wow." Miranda blinks. "Even the Keepers lost her sense of humor." She said. "Oh... Uh. I guess it's just that time of the day. " Raven shrugs, retaining their posture against the wall. Miranda nods, looking down. "2218 hours back on Los Angeles right now..." She said quietly. "You've changed, you know that?" Foulke says, tilting his head. "Both of you. Or maybe I don't remember right." "Time moves on, people change, for the better... or for the worse. " Raven reflects his words upon herself, wondering about her choices.

After a ten minute interlude, Michael returned with two drones carrying a long crate. He passed through the doors into the med-bay and pointed towards Foulke's bedside. The drones moved forward and set the crate down. One of the drones gave an affirmative 'beep' and left, the other had entered stand-by. Michael strolled over to the bed. "Now then. Your arm isn't exactly complete, as you mentioned a 'taser of sorts'. My initial thought was to electrify the existing bladed arm, which runs on a folding system. A six-inch blade folds out from under your forearm, which can be used while punching, though - and I'm certain the Keeper would agree - developing a technique would be the prudent course of action." He finished. Michael gestured to the drone. The drone crouched down and opened the crate, revealing a gray, metallic leg, and metallic-while arm. "We can have them installed overnight, but the skin-layer would require application tomorrow after some general testing." Michael noted, and raised a finger. "Don't expect to be at a hundred percent immediately." He said. Michael gestured to the drone, which picked up the mechanical arm. It held it out length-wise, and tapped a button on the top of the forearm. As it did, a compartment popped out of the bottom, and a six inch, one-sided blade extended outwards towards the hand. "As I had described, there is your example." Michael noted. Foulke eyed the limbs with keen interest. He hadn't known much about prosthetic technology beyond what Stone had before him. These new advances seemed to exist solely in the realm of fiction. "So assuming I go under today for this operation, how long would it take me to be able to at least perform necessary daily functions? Not combat activities, but stuff like walking and opening doors and pouring liquid." He asked. Michael pondered for a moment. "Six hours after some time walking and working with your arm, to allow your nervous system and muscles to adapt." Responded Michael. Raven gets out her datapad again, silently mumbling, "Replacements for the auxiliary supply - robotics to... " muttering as she writes it in. Miranda simply looks at both the prosthetics, standing roughly a foot behind Glass, she peeks over his shoulder to eye the case and drone "Its a pretty err... neat setup..." She looks towards Glass and the case with a curious eye "Do you... do stuff like that without the prosthesis part?" She asked inquisitively. Michael turned to Miranda. "Which 'stuff' are you asking about?" He replied.

"Just... a weapon... I haven't got anything special to keep on me, maybe you've got something with a little more punch than a blaster?" Asked Miranda. Michael shook his head. "You'll want to speak to either the Curator or Nesrin when she returns." He said in response. Miranda twists her head, eventually sighing and waving it off. "Eh, I'll talk to them about it then." She said. Foulke looked over at Glass. "Will the strength and enhanced reflexes and all the other super soldier stuff be hard to adapt to? I mean, I doubt my arm was ever that powerful," he muses, rubbing the stub on his right shoulder, then falling back lightly onto the table, forgetting his lack of support. "If you're referring to Stone, that was Canaan technology." Raven mutters as she looks down on the datapad. "Just noting. " She said. "Not as difficult as you might think." said Michael." You just need to be aware of your own capabilities. Hence the testing." He turned to Raven. "Do you know if the Curator is on board?" He asked. "Uh." Raven continued to stare at her datapad. After a brief pause, Raven replied. "Yes. He's on-board." she kept her eyes fixed to the datapad. It's noticeable she didn't even write into the datapad whilst glancing in to it, "I already called him over. " She said. Michael nodded to Miranda. "He can sort out your weaponry needs." Said Glass. Miranda nods, putting a smile on her face "Good, glad to get the trash Navy pistol I've been using for two years onto the wall, hey, this is Auxesia after all." She smiles slightly, looking at Glass and Raven. Foulke looked up at the ceiling. "Alright, well I'm ready for it whenever. Just... Well, hopefully I'll be under for it." He said. Michael turned to Foulke. "Of course. This isn't a torture room, it's a medical bay." He chuckled.

After several minutes, an armored figure in a cloak entered the med-bay. His voice was modulated beyond recognition. He approached Raven and Miranda. "Keeper." He said. "Hi. " Replied Raven. She continues to look down at the datapad, not showing much interest to him. They continue to lean against the wall, awaiting for Glass to finish. The hooded figure turned to Miranda. "You needed something, Nagase?" He said. Miranda nods, looking at the figure and maintaining the composed image she had hardly held the last day "Yes, I uh, wanted to inquire about a weapon, something a step up from some old blaster." She said. "Liberty standard issue not good enough for you anymore?," Foulke said half-jokingly. Miranda shrugs. "After two years of no maintenance. I believe the old girls' failed me." she shoots Foulke a look with a smirk "Don't think you're the only one getting a new toy." She said jokingly, changing her tone. "I miss the equipment we got in the LSF. Felt like every single item, from uniforms to firearms, was top-of-the-line. Not sure about you Navy flyers, but that's how it was for us agents." The Curator remained silent for a time. His cloak began to shuffle as his arms moved around. Eventually, his hand extended a holster, with a silver pistol held in its place. "The Security Force might have technology, but they lack ingenuity and originality." He said. Miranda looks down at the pistol in the Curators hand, eyeing the weapon "So what makes this so... original?" She asked. "Hand built. Particle Accelerator. Custom Heat Sync. I've yet to name it, and to use it. It's yours." He offered it to her. Miranda's eyes raise, taking the pistol and holding it in her left hand. A hefty build, but nonetheless sleek and light in her hand. She tests her aim at the wall, before relaxing and holding the pistol near her side. "Well, its magnificent... suppose I'll have to name it myself... I'll find out at some point." She said.

Foulke trailed off from the conversation, and looked out at the hallway where Raven was seated. He seemed deep in thought, and his eyes glazed over as he was consumed by his own introspection. He wondered if the woman spent more time on her datapad than she did talking to anyone else. In his mind, it spoke volumes about someone he had known for less than a year, despite the year feeling like a lifetime. The Curator nodded. "If there is nothing else, I'll be letting Glass finish up." He said, looking around. Miranda nods, unholstering her old weapon, a grey, long pistol with the Liberty Navy motto engraved on its grip. She chucks the pistol towards Foulke. "There you go, that's our 'top of the line'." She said. The Curator turned and walked out of the med-bay. He spotted Raven in the hall, and approached her. Raven keeps her eyes glued to the screen. Occasionally, she would tap the screen, being blank and repetitive in movement. After a brief, unspoken conversation, The Curator headed off down the hall. Raven raises her head up to the ceiling, inhaling and exhaling deeply. Meanwhile, Foulke, even in his daze, instinctively reached out for the pistol, grabbing it midair and placing it down beside him. He nodded at Miranda, giving a weak smile. For a brief moment, his eyes betrayed a sense of dread he had been hiding since he arrived. He turned away nervously and examined his friend's old firearm. Michael clasped his hands together. "Now, where were we?" He asked. He turned and approached Foulke's bed. "Whenever you're ready, you'll be sedated. I'm sure Miranda will remain nearby for the procedure, which is handled by the drones." He nodded to the mechanical beings in the room. "During this, I'll be in the office here, as I need to speak with the Keeper. Should anything occur, I am automatically informed." He said in conclusion.

Michael grabbed his cane and walked to the door. He peered out into the hall and looked around. "Keeper." He said. Raven kept her eyes fixed to the ceiling, still lost in thought, processing some memory of hers, indulged into that reality, than reality's reality. She kept her eyes fixed to the ceiling, still lost in thought, processing some memory of hers, indulged into that reality, than reality's reality. Miranda smiles quietly to herself until hearing the procedure, she steps back slightly squeamishly "Remain nearby? Yeah, I'll be here for Foulke. This won't be uhh... painful for him right?" She asked. Michael peered back into the room. "He will be sedated. He won't feel a thing." He smiled, then looked back into the hall. "Raven." He said. "Good, last thing I want is to chew my nails off hearing him scream the whole night..." Muttered Miranda. Michael stepped out into the hall and approached Raven. "Keeper." He said. Foulke rested on his back, twirling around the gun in one hand and looking at the famous motto in the light of the medbay. He sighed, and put the gun down, closing his eyes. Michael shrugged, and returned to the med-bay. "Are you prepared, Foulke?" He asked. Foulke raised his head, and nodded silently. After a moment, he spoke. "Yeah. Let's do it." He said. Miranda pulls out a personal device, sitting in a bench near Foulke eyeing him and Glass "I'll just be over here, I'll watch him, make sure everything goes well." Remaining zoned out, Raven appeared to be listening to someone or something. She immediately hops up, holding the datapad, going around the corner of the hallway out of sight, "Who are you?" can be briefly heard before dissipating within the distance. Michael approached the bed and typed into the console. "Very well. Simply relax, and allow the machinery to do its work." He said calmly. As he typed, various arms unfolded from the scanning machine at the head of the bed. The drones approached as well, attaching sensors and an IV to the crippled man. A needle from the machine inserted its self into the IV bag, and began to trickle down through the tube into his veins. After a minute, Foulke would slip out of consciousness. The drones would prep the prosthetic limbs by the bed, and a holographic privacy curtain closed for the duration of the procedure. Michael allowed the machinery to work. He turned and nodded to Miranda. "I'll return shortly." Miranda nodded, taking a seat and observing the machinery work the prosthetics onto Foulke, a process that would take the entirety of the night. Meanwhile, Michael left the Med-bay, and went down the hall to locate Raven. "Keeper?" He called out, wandering the corridors of the Eidolon Wraith.

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