Corrupture [IC]

[wonderweiss]

Clayton Asylum for the Criminally Insane

---

A man in a white lab coat walked into a room with nothing but a man strapped from mouth to toe tied to a chair. His lifeless eyes stared blankly at the ceiling, not blinking an eyelash at the sudden disturbance. The white coated man took out a foldable chair and sat on it. He took out a clipboard with paper and a pen. He also had a voice recorder and the CR reader.

He turned the voice recorder on.


Dr. Kurt: Dr. Kurt, beginning PPA (Psychological Processing Assessment). Subject, Vector Leire. Initiative analysis: No reaction to sudden noises. No reaction to indirect verbal contact. Beginning direct physical contact.

(The doctor gets up, walks up to Vector and loosens the buckle around his mouth to allow verbal contact, but without completely releasing the buckle. Still no reaction. The scientist patted him down. No reaction. Checked for a pulse. Heart beat is healthy and steady. The doctor checks reactive systems. Reactive systems are almost completely inactive, but expected. The doctor returns to his seat.)

Dr. Kurt: Physical test completed. Analysis: the subject is void of reactive systems, but the heart is still active and healthy. Beginning CR scan.

(The doctor takes out his CR scanner. It is the shape of the Clayton Asylum for the Criminally Insane logo. He begins the scan.)

Dr. Kurt: Corruption levels... 100. Beginning direct verbal contact.

(The doctor takes the chair and gets closer to Vector.)

Dr. Kurt: Vector, my name is Dr. Kurt. I will be your proctor for today's PPA. I realize that you do not want to be spoken to, but as your proctor, I must remind you that should you fail your PPA five times in a row, you will be considered a lost cause. You will not be given any more PPAs. This also means you will have lost your only chance of escape. Shall we begin?

...

Dr. Kurt: ... Right. Now then, I will ask you five questions. You must answer them. First question-

Vector Leire: [whispering incoherently]

Dr. Kurt: What was that?

Vector Leire:... I said... Spare me the formalities.

Dr. Kurt: I'm sorry, Mr. Leire, but-

Vector Leire: No, no it's not. It's not required to pass, so don't give me that bull. It's just another conversation starter and I've heard them all. I don't feel like answering them all. I've been in a cage for a year now. I'm not going to announce that I saw a slug crawl 75.8 millimeters across the ceiling. And since when was I honored the luxury of the title 'Mr.'?

Dr. Kurt: ... I see you have a keen sense of time. But it's understandable. That's the only sane thing you can do for fun, huh? Counting sheep might be one?

Vector Leire: I'll just say right now, your jokes suck. I'm not impressed. Really now. You're recording all of this right now. You'd be the laughing stock if your colleagues heard your jokes.

Dr. Kurt: How did you-

Vector Leire: when I don't listen to you all talk to yourselves, I can hear it. I can hear the electricity flowing through the device. I can hear every little jolt of energy pass through the endless maze of wires.

Dr. Kurt: And I'm sure you can.

Vector Leire: I can hear that the recorder is dying. Weren't you supposed to charge it last night before the assessment?

Dr. Kurt: What? How can you hear something dying?

Vector Leire: That is a horrendous way of asking that question, but I'll answer. I do hope you know that in complete silence the human can hear a pebble dropping from a mile away?

Dr. Kurt: shouldn't my voice be intercepting this noise?

Vector Leire: ... It only has as much as ten minutes left. Are you sure you've even been authorized to do this?

Dr. Kurt: I wouldn't be here any other way.

Vector Leire: I'd continue tomorrow, doctor. After all, the recorder is slowly dying away... Or is it not... William?

(Dr. Kurt backs away)

Dr. Kurt: How did you-

Vector Leire: I'm staring at the ceiling, correct?

Dr. Kurt: ... What are you getting at?

Vector Leire: Hush...

(a long pause is taking place)

Vector Leire: ... I can... Hear them... Scrambling... Talking is surprise how I know your name. William Kurt. I heard you talking to a colleague. How's the family?

Dr. Kurt: This is unacceptable for your assessment-

Vector Leire: And the kids? I'm happy that Michael aced his final exams. Sarah could do better, but in the end we're all going to have a party at your house in celebration. There will be a pool, beer, and best of all... We will all have a good ti-

(Dr. Kurt tightens Vector's mouth buckle. A long pause follows.)

Dr. Kurt: ... Dr. Kurt... Verbal contact assessment... New precautions are necessary. From here on out, no conversational exchange is to take place within fifty meters of Vector's cell. Signs will be posted five meters in advance... PPA has been completed. Returning to the office.

(Dr. Kurt is about to leave and turn off the recorder when Vector said something, though it was muffled because of the mouth piece. Auditory editing has shown that the words he said were...

Vector Leire: And we will all... Have a good time... William...

[Kristia]

Firefight zone

The bullets could be heard passing through the air and the voices of people were barely audible because of the continous fire of what looked like a turret machine gun

Between the explosion of bullet hitting the wall, a soldier yelled "Dammit! we are cornered thanks to that blasted turret!" he crouched as a piece of concrete flew close to him. Another soldier who looked more experienced slowly got close to a window to examine the are. Just when he got a glimpse of the surroundings, he jumped away as a rain of bullets almost got him, a bullet graced his helmet, but the experienced soldier was ok. "So far there looks like only a squad is on the other building while the turret is on a window" he spoke through the mic to his allies "We need to take care of that turret asap" he ordered

The soldier next to him looked obviously confused by the order "But sir.. how can we do that if the turret is almost nonstop? we already lost our heavy weapons guys and our ammo is low", the confusion and fear was understandable due to the situation but the experienced soldier just looked at his rifle and counted the remaining bullets of its case "Relax novice, we got someone already hunting on our side"

As if on cue, the turret guy was firing at anything that moved as he was ordered to do, not even his allies were safe from the rain of bullets that his weapon did. If someone could see his face, he or she would be horrified to see a wicked smile as he laughed when an unlucky living being appeared and was showered in metal. A ping sound was heard over his firing and in less than a second, a bullet struck between his eyes. The turret was still firing as the now dead userīs body moved it to a wall.

A cloaked figure appeared from one of the windows with a rifle strapped on her back, she ran between the buildings and jumped out of the way when someone started firing with his shotgun. The figure took her rifle and quickly aimed it to the person, the single fire got him dead and she got into the building from the window. The novice soldier noticed the movement and asked to his commander "Sir? who was that?".

The commander just grinned and prepped his rifle "That boy, is our hunting fox, now lets give her some cover" he spoke already aiming to one of the guys and started shooting

Meanwhile inside the attackerīs building, the cloaked woman took out her revolver. Moving between the shadows and using the cover fire as distraction, she got into the next room and started shooting at each of the attackers, one bullet per person until the sixth bullet got fired. The lucky seventh guy grinned, yet as he was aiming his rifle to the woman, a knife got into his forehead. The cloaked female, who had another throwing knife just in case walked to the dead man and took out the knife, cleaned it with a rag and holstered it on her belt. Breaking the revolver she started reloading the weapon and went to the last floor. Only to be greeted by a shower of bullets

Jumping to a couch as a cover, she fired the attackerīs leg from below the couch and made him fall only to have another bullet on his chest. Silence was the first thing she noticed, there was no more firing, carefully getting up, the hunting fox looked at the room checking for anyone. A small crack was heard and she quickly aimed the revolver to the source of the sound, it was a man with a rifle, but he was shivering in fear .

The cloaked woman looked at him and kept aiming the revolver just in case, yet she spoke "You havenīt fired a weapon to anyone, have you? she asked, her brown eyes piercing into his own eyes. the man shook his head still fearing this would be his last moment to live. The woman walked to him and put her hand on his rifle lowring it to the floor "Go back to your home and try not to walk this path again" her tone was neutral and piercing at the same time. The man just let the rifle fall and started running away from the room, the hunting fox could see he was already safely away from the firefight.

Putting on her communicator, the blonde woman spoke "This is the hunting fox, the building is clear"

[S121]

Msrket Street - Mission District - San Francisco - California | 5:00 PM

*BANG*

Ethan opened his eyes to find himself lying on the carpet in his Aunt and Uncle's house. Everything was blurry, but from what little he could make out, there was blotches of red everywhere: on the walls, on the ceiling, and on the carpet, most noticeably the area around where he lay. Just then, Ethan felt a searing pain in his chest and abdomen as he turned his head over to the right, where the couch he was sitting on was. From there, he could see a body. At first, he couldn't tell who it was, but as his vision slowly came back to him, he could see the grisly sight. Sitting on the couch was the slumped body of his dead grandfather. A small, faint stream of crimson glistened around the back of his head; a gunshot wound from the man that had broken in. That was when Ethan remembered it. That man... the man with the pale blue eyes and brown hair, the one that shot everyone he loved and cared about. Ethan found it strange. He should have been overcome with grief and sadness right now, but for some reason he felt nothing, nothing but a sense of impending doom.

Just then, the searing pain in his chest and abdomen returned, this time more intense than the previous wave of pain, prompting Ethan to slowly roll over to his back. Ethan looked down at his torso, only to find his white, long-sleeve shirt stained in red. four holes were present on the front of his shirt, showing where Ethan had been shot. Such a sight only served to make Ethan tremble in shock and make his stomach turn.

*BANG* *BANG*

Just then, the sound of two gunshots captured Ethan's attention and turned it towards the stairs in the house's front entrance.

*THUD*

After hearing the thud, Ethan began to fully grasp what kind of situation he was in. That thud was the sound of a dead body. That thud was somebody he knew. Just then, Ethan began to breathe heavily and his heart began to pump faster and faster as panic began to set in. He needed to get to a phone. He needed to call somebody, anybody! Despite his injuries, Ethan quickly shifted his hand down to his left pocket, only to feel that his phone wasn't there. Ethan had left his phone on the table next to the couch. Unfortunately for him, the table was on the other side of the couch. Ethan silently cursed at himself for not keeping it on him at all times, especially at a time like this. There was little he could do now but try and force himself back onto his stomach. Lying on his stomach was excruciating, especially because of the wounds he had, but even then, he knew that he needed to remain focused. He needed to get to his phone.

After that, Ethan crawled across the carpet, staining it with the very thing Ethan needed if he wanted to survive, something he was running out of. The pain of his wounds rubbing against the carpet was almost unbearable, but he kept crawling, determined to get to the table.

*BANG*

Another gunshot rang out, followed by another thud. Upon hearing this sound, Ethan began to crawl faster, desperate to get to his phone. After a couple of seconds, Ethan had made it to the table. Using almost all the strength he had left, Ethan reached for the phone-

*BANG*

"AHHHHHHHHH!!!", Ethan screamed out as he felt a bullet pierce his back, causing him to fall to the floor, onto his side.

So close... Ethan was so close... If only he hadn't hesitated earlier. If only he had moved a little bit faster. It was too late now. Ethan was alone with this man, this crazed murderer, and there was noting he could do. As Ethan rolled over to his back, he looked up at the man with eyes full of dread. This was it. This was his final moment, covered in blood, staring at the killer of his family. Ethan was going to die.

Just then, the man slowly raised the gun towards Ethan, as if he was savoring Ethan's fearful anticipation before the end.

*BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP*




Ethan jolted awake as the sound of the cab car's horn pierced his eardrums. He then quickly sat up and snapped his head to each side as he breathed in a panicked rhythm, only to be greeted by a man in the seat in front of him.

"Hey man, are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost.", the cabdriver said to Eathan in a concerned tone as he looked back.

The cab driver was right to feel concerned. Ethan was in a cold sweat, his breathing was erratic, and he visibly looked panicked, terrified. It took a few seconds, but after those seconds ticked by, Ethan took note of his current emotional state and quickly adjusted himself accordingly.

"Yea... I'm alright. Just a bad dream.", Ethan said to the cab driver as his breathing slowed back down to normal.

"Okay man, just don't.. freak out too much. You're scaring me.", the cab driver said to Ethan in a slightly nervous, yet still concerned tone.

"Sorry.", Ethan said.

The cab driver simply gave a light smile as he gave a chuckle.

"Hey, no problem. This is your stop anyway. That will be $30.57", the cab driver said in a friendly tone as he motioned over to the street sign above.

Ethan's gaze followed the cab driver's finger, prompting him top look up at a sign on the right corner of the street. Jason couldn't quite make out what the right-pointing part of the sign said, but he could clearly see the one pointing down the street they were on: "Mission Street". Ethan turned his head over to the man and gave the man a smile.

"Thanks.", Ethan said as he pulled out his wallet and pulled out the money for the cab driver and handed it over to him.

After that, Ethan grabbed his backpack from the seat next to him, shouldered it, exited the cab, and began to walk down the street as the cab driver drove away. Ethan watched as the cab driver left, and as soon as the driver turned the corner, Ethan stopped smiling and slightly slumped his shoulders. He no longer had to keep the facade up, at least not until he got to this "Nitro's" shop. It always seemed to be like this. Ever since the incident, Ethan had not gotten an hour of peaceful sleep. Not only that, he also felt tired almost all the time, as if the life was being drained out of him. It was a sad existence, but soon it would be over. Soon, he wouldn't have a reason to feel so tired, so sick. Soon, he would have his revenge and take his life back, but until then, he needed to get this job, preferably before he was late.

After walking down the street for about five minutes, Ethan looked over to the shop next to him and looked at the address above the door. Ethan took out a piece of folded paper from his back pocket and looked at the address scribbled on it. Sure enough, he was at the right location. All he had to do now was put on a good show and convince the person inside that he was perfect for the internship. With that in mind, Ethan resumed his facade and walked inside the store.

[WriggleRid3r]

Nitro's Shop - Mission District - San Francisco

---

"Zzz..."

Nitro's shop didn't really look like a legitimate shop. Sure, there were electronics in need of repair strewn all around, but the placed looked too homely, with the kitchen to one side, staircase to the second floor on another, and a couch with a girl sleeping on it.

The young girl sleeping on the couch was extremely beautiful. She had messy, blue hair that reached her shoulders, thick eyebrows, and jaws that were sharper and pronounced than most, making her look like she didn't belong in this world. She had a sleeveless dress shirt on and it was unbuttoned, revealing an impressively curvaceous figure for someone who looked so young. She was sleeping so soundly that she looked as if she was knocked out, with a small drool mark on the couch spot near her mouth. She looked so... what's the word... helpless.

[S121]

Nitro's Shop - Mission District - San Francisco

As Ethan walked into the shop, he couldn't help but notice how the shop looked more like a house than a store. He knew that there were cases where people would live above their stores, but from what he could see, the house was mixed in with the shop. As Ethan scanned the shop with his gaze, he saw various electronics, the kitchen in the back, the staircase leading upstairs, the couch with the girl on it- Right then, Ethan noticed the girl on the couch, sleeping soundly. Ethan knew that it was somewhat rude to stare, but he couldn't help but do so. To be honest, the girl looked strange to Ethan, almost alien. She looked normal enough, but there was something about her that made her feel otherworldly. Of course this kind of strange wasn't bad, just.. different. In fact, contrary to Ethan's observations on her being strange, she was actually very beautiful, even though he wouldn't openly admit it.

It took Ethan a couple seconds to realize that he was staring at the girl, but when he caught himself, he lightly shook his his as he silently chastised himself for staring at her. After a couple seconds, Ethan decided that perhaps he should wake her. Taking care not to come of as rude, Ethan quietly walked over to the girl and lightly tapped her on the shoulder.

[SUSTIC]

Drake's Apartment - 26th Street - San Francisco | Afternoon

It had been an uneventful day for Drake. No job requests from anyone, no word from anyone of importance, and the only thing remotely interesting was that his pay from his last job had came in, a paycheck of 5,000 US dollars. Enough to pay for a few of his bills internet, and phone bills as well as leaving some money for his rent at the end of this month. Other than that nothing important had gone on today, or at least it seemed like it.

Drake held the check in his hand as he sat on his couch in the living room. "Damn have things been slow today. At least that paycheck finally came in, now I can pay for the internet, and phone bills this month. I shouldn't forget about cable. If I pay for those I should have at least enough money to pay the rest of the rent this month." He said to himself as he leaned his head back and yawned, obviously bored to the point of being physically tired. "Damn things have been a lot harder to handle with that girl around. With her living here now, I am paying roughly double the price." Drake muttered as he realized something.

He hadn't seen Shiori around all day. "Speaking of which where is that damn pest? Don't tell me she locked herself in her room again. God I kind of can't wait until her birthday. Then I can finally kick her out of this place and have the place to myself again." Thought the bored, and somewhat tired mercenary as he laid down on the couch, thinking about how good it would be to finally have the place to himself again...

[WriggleRid3r]

Nitro's Shop - Mission District - San Francisco

---

"Huh, wha-?" Nitro woke up, looked around, and saw Ethan looking at her. "Nngh... sorry, I must've dozed off because there were no customers..."

Nitro rose from the couch and began buttoning her shirt, having a bit of trouble around the chest area, and glanced sideways at Ethan. "So, how can I help you?"

[SereneGrace]

Drake's Apartment - 26th Street - San Francisco | Afternoon

Shiori sat on her bed in her currently temporary bedroom in Drake's apartments. Nothing was going on, and as such Shiori had decided to do nothing but just lay down and rest until something eventful happened. After all she doesn't have a job, and it isn't exactly night yet. As such she wasn't able to go out and do the one thing that makes her feel the least bit normal... or at least normal after the incident...

After laying down for another three to four minutes she sat up as her stomach growled. "So hungry... I need to find something to eat..." She said as she hopped off her bed, she then left her room and began to head for the kitchen. Walking down the stairs and right through the living room past the couch Drake was laying on, she was unaware that Drake was laying down on the couch as she passed by.

[Kristia]

En route to San Francisco base via helicopter

most of the squad was ok except for the loss of the heavy weapons guys. The commander was calm as the other soldiers were having a nice talk about the last mission

"So what's the deal with that girl? for what I barely saw she doesn't use our gear or weaponry" the novice soldier asked to the group. Most of the others knew that the blonde was a silent woman who was a weapon specialist and extremely effective in action

Yet one of the group went for a cocky move "To me she isn't so great, sure she got a few kills and can move like a fox, and I bet ya she could move like that in other actions" he grinned as the group erupted in laughter. He continued "What's more, she lets some of those corrupts go away"

The commander then spoke up "That, lieutenant, is called giving mercy to the innocent, something most has lost during this firefights and I suggest you to give her the respect she deserves, we could have lost more of us if it wasn't because of her accepting this mission" his tone was powerful

"Oh come on she isn't that good, besides where is this girl?" the lieutenant asked

A tapping on his shoulder made the man gasp and looked at brown eyes that wore a neutral face "Whatever you need to tell me, do it on my face"

"Specialist Lynchwood, what an honor to grace us with your presence" the commander greeted the blonde who nodded in the same greet. The leutenant got on his feet but noticed that the woman was as the same height as him

"Lets see what you got blondie" In a quick move, he tried to pin her, but was reversed into a dead lock on his neck and pushed to the floor. Lynchwood got close to his ear, her golden locks graced his skin making goosebumps and shivered with her words "Remember soldier, we are fighting to save the innocent, not to shoot at whoever that moves"

Freeing the lieutenant, the specialist walked to her seat and started working on her rifle. The squad went silent with both nervousness and respect to the blonde while the commander grinned.

[SUSTIC]

Drake's Apartment - 26th Street - San Francisco | Afternoon

As Shiori walked by Drake heard her footsteps, hearing that Shiori finally left her room for seemingly the first time today Drake sat up and looked at her. "Oh so you're still alive eh? So what have you been up to aside from staying in your room like a shut-in?" Drake asked as he stretched a bit. "If you are heading to the kitchen for something to eat or drink then could you be a nice girl and get me cup of Cola from the fridge? I'm so parched right now." He said as he leaned back on the couch a bit.

[SereneGrace]

Drake's Apartment - 26th Street - San Francisco | Afternoon

Shiori stopped as she looked at Drake. At first she looked at him with a large smile, the same kind of smile she gives him whenever she sees him for the first time every single day. However the smile faded as she nodded at Drake's request.

"... Sure... one cola..." She said as she continued into the kitchen, opening the fridge she got out a can of Coca Cola, and a pitcher of ice cold tea. Shiori then closed the fridge as she set the pitcher of tea, and the can of Cola on the counter next to the fridge. Getting out a few cups from a cabinet above she poured herself some tea before putting the pitcher of tea back in the fridge. Now that she has something to drink she needs to think of what she wishes to do for food... maybe Drake has something planned for dinner? She will have to ask him. She then took the unopened can of Cola, and her cup of tea she walked back into the living room. Once she got into the living room she sat on the couch and handed Drake his requested can of cola. "Drake I have a question. What are we going to do about dinner tonight?"

[S121]

Nitro's Shop - Mission District - San Francisco

Ethan patiently waited as the girl tidied herself up, and after a couple of seconds, she asked him a question.

"I'm the one that called earlier about the internship. Do you know where your manager is? I would like to speak to them about it.", Ethan calmly said to Nitro.

[WriggleRid3r]

Nitro's Shop - Mission District - San Francisco

---

"Well you're speaking to one right now." Nitro answered Ethan. Was she really telling the truth? She looked too young to be even an engineer, much less the owner of the shop. Closer observation further contradicted what Nitro said. Nitro was a head and a half shorter than Ethan, and she didn't seem like she had the strength to be able to lift heavy objects: something every engineer should be able to do. Sure, she looked lean and fit, but will she able to lift a 100 lb appliances up and down a three-story building? "So, internship, huh? Do you have your resume with you?"

[S121]

Nitro's Shop - Mission District - San Francisco

Ethan couldn't help but be confused by Nitro's answer, but he didn't say anything in the off-chance she was telling the truth. To think that she was the manager of the store... To be honest, Ethan didn't know what to think. If anything, he thought that it was best if he did as she said.

"Yes. Here it is.", Ethan said as he pulled off his backpack and unzipped the largest pocket of it.

After that, he pulled out a manila folder and handed it to Nitro.

[WriggleRid3r]

Nitro's Shop - Mission District - San Francisco

---

Nitro began reading the resume Ethan has given her. Even though it was just an employer reading a potential employee's resume, something felt weird, especially since Nitro, the employer, looked several years younger than Ethan, the employee. She didn't even look like an engineer, to be honest, but looks aren't everything.

"So you attended John Marshall High School for 2 years, but transferred to University High School of Engineering and Technology and graduated from it... and you're attending UC Berkeley right now." Nitro read through the resume. "And it says you were a member of robotics club for the entire 4 years of high school? Have you made anything? Hovercraft? Maybe your own robot?"