Chapter 7: The Deep Awakens – Part 2

Present Day
Year 190 D.R. (Descendant Reign)
Location: The Deep – Epsilon Sector

Soi Soren was normally a soft-spoken woman.  Slow to anger, easy going and generally a caring woman, it was rare for her to do more than raise her voice.  However, just like the wind she controlled, she could be wildly unpredictable when angered.

“WHERE IS MY SON?” Soi’s ethereal voice had a ragged edge to it that snapped at the air like cloth in a strong wind.  The question was directed at Seiza, who she had pinned to a wall in an alley with tendrils of thickened air.

Seiza clutched at his throat, his fingers slid through the molecules of air as they reformed to continue their strangle hold on his windpipe.  He shook his head in wild denial.  His reaction only fueled Soi’s anger. She pushed a palm toward him. His eyes bulged in their sockets, his face mottled as blood pooled under the skin.  After three seconds that felt like three years, Soi released the stranglehold. Seize collapsed to his hands and knees.  He sucked in the precious air, coughs shook his frame as he gulped it like water.

Chapter 7: The Deep Awakens – Part 2 (Delayed)

My apologies everyone, but this week’s Deep Underground post will be delayed until Saturday due to writer error and internets not working as they should.

By way of apology and to tide you over until I can get the true post up and running, I present the Dystopian Dictionary of the Deep Underground.  Basic terms are defined, however if you feel I’ve missed any, please let me know in the comments here and I’ll happily add entries as needed.

Thank you for your patience and as always thank you for visiting and reading the Deep Underground.

~Heidi

Chapter 7: The Deep Awakens – Part 1

Present Day
Year 190 D.R. (Descendant Reign)
Location: The Deep Underground – Delta Sector

Ada drove her motorcycle up onto the sidewalk outside of Tomo’s Bar.  She let the engine idle for a moment as she removed her helm.  Her leather clad hands absently adjusted the long pigtails she preferred.  It was by accident Ada had discovered just how good a distraction the girlish hairstyle could be and so she used it without thought. She’d even grown fond of it.

As the motor cut off, Ada swung her long leg back and over the seat of her bike.  She set her helm on the seat then patted down her long, leather trench coat.  Satisfied she had everything, she stalked toward the door.  As usual there were no bodyguards.  If you could survive a night in Tomo’s Bar, then you could survive just about anything.

The thump of the techno music muffled Ada’s footsteps as she stalked toward Tomo’s dais.  The strobe lights, flashing disco ball and the body jewelry that gave off eerie, neon glows caught Ada’s gaze only briefly.  Ada didn’t frequent the bars in the Deep–she had better things to do then get drunk, high or sleep with fellow freaks of the Deep–so on the occasions she did go in, she found herself staring like a fool before she came to her senses.

Chapter 6: Rattle the Cages – Part 3

Present Day
Year 190 D.R. (Descendant Reign)
Location: The Deep – Delta Sector

It had been five days since Ada had first begun her plan to enter the City to rescue Ky.  So much had changed in such a short span of time it was hard for her to wrap her head around it.  Even though the Deep was a dangerous and constantly hostile environment, Ada had gotten use to the ebb and flow–it had a pattern she comfortably relied on.  That pattern was now in disarray, as if someone had come along and kicked the pieces of routine out of place.

“Ada.” Ky’s voice cut through her brooding. “Zare finished the last of the transmitters–one for each of the six sectors.  I’ll be taking Alpha.  Zare, Beta.  Jet, Gamma. You’ll stay here in Delta. Soi has Epsilon. And Pyr will take Zeta.”

Inhaling through her nose, Ada glanced at the small box sitting next to her on the table.  It seemed innocuous enough–the design was simple, sleek and unassuming.  She couldn’t shake the feeling, however, that Zare’s willingness to craft the transmitters was a ploy.  The fact that Zare’s power allowed him to manipulate technology in such a way should have been a relief to her.  Instead, because of his obvious run in with Waldgrave’s augmentation, Ada could think only of what else the transmitters would do besides helping them.  If they even did that much.

Chapter 6: Rattle the Cages – Part 2

Present Day

Year 190 D.R. (Descendant Reign)
Location: The City – Building 121-B

Ada woke alone a few hours after she’d fallen asleep. The room was lit only by the amber glow of the 4D holo-table in the center. Ky and Pyr stood shoulder to shoulder as they murmured to one another and from time to time pointed at the display. On the floor nearby Zare was sprawled under a blanket, his bulk hardly diminished by his lack of fur. Soi lay across Jet’s lap on the padded bench on the other side of the table. Jet had his head flung back in apparently sleep. Their pink skin looked strange to Ada.

A sigh escaped Ada’s lips as she gathered her blanket and rose to her feet. Pyr glanced up first. His expression was neutral, as always, but Ada knew that look, the slight softening around the eyes. He was glad she’d made it out alive. A small smile curved her lips before she looked away.

Using the time it took to fold her blanket and put it away, Ada mulled over their situation. The others were changed, but she wondered if perhaps Waldgrave had done more than just remove their obvious Transie traits. Which then lead to the thought of why Ky was unchanged after two years in Waldgrave’s clutches.

Hacker Central – Subject: Aaron Waldgrave

Now this is what I’m talking about! It’s not every day we get information like this on the Man himself. And while it’s not all that fascinating (except that bit at the end, woo!), it does tell us one thing that we only suspected over the years: Aaron Waldgrave is boring as hell!  I mean, just look at his profile. It’s like eating uncooked oatmeal!

I’ll be back again soon kiddies.  So just keep tuning in, cause it ain’t even close to being over.

Posted by WolfmanX

Subject: 00001

Actual Name: Aaron Waldgrave

Current Name: (Same as Original)

Aliases: None

Age: 57
Height: 6’2″
Weight: Approx. 175 lbs
Blood Type: AB Negative
Eye Color: Hazel
Hair Color: Blond
Skin Color: Caucasian

Evolution Status: Evolutionary Variant
-Notes: Parental Evolution Status Unknown, Parents Names Classified.

Evolution Powers: Telepathy, Genetic Manipulation, Genetic Analysis
-Notes: The subject can speak with his mind, projecting his thoughts into other subject’s minds. With skin on skin contact the subject can alter, for a small length of time, another’s DNA. Permanent changes will occur if the contact is maintained for more than an hour. Skin contact also allows the subject to analyze the DNA including finding strengths and weaknesses.

Current Location: The City, Genetic Council Headquarters

Skills: Doctorate in Genetic Engineering

Background:

-Normal childhood and education.

-Age 22 – Attained his doctorate in Genetic Engineering and joined the Genetics Council as a junior researcher after graduation.

-Age 32 – Appointed Head Chairman of the Council.

-Age 35 – Married Terrina Rokiana when he discovered she was pregnant without a partner in sight.
-Notes: It is speculated the subject had been watching Terrina from afar, but no concrete evidence has been gathered to back this up. What is known for sure, Terrina was at first reluctant to marry, but eventually capitulated when the subject offered to examine the DNA of her unborn child. It is uncertain if this match has or had any emotional attachment.

Chapter 6: Rattle the Cages – Part 1

Present Day
Year 190 D.R. (Descendant Reign)
Location: The City – Building 121-B

The room was quiet.  Ada could feel the weight of it as it closed in around her.  The other five occupants had found different places to sit or sprawl.  Jet and Soi were curled up together on a padded bench.  Zare and Pyr were sitting on stools near the 4D holo display, which had been turned off after Waldgrave’s dire announcement.  Ky had slumped down in a far corner, head bowed in thought.  Ada was the only one to resist the temptation to slump in defeat.  And so she paced.

“What’s plan, Blue Girl?”  Zare’s voice brought Ada up short.

With a frown, she said, “What do you mean?  The plan is we mobilize the Deep. It may seem impossible, but I’m betting they’ll listen to reason if we explain that it’s either that or get turned into a bunch of Norms.”