2016.03.19: Jake's Arrival In Prospect

2016.03.19: Jake's Arrival In Prospect
A mysterious stranger arrives unexpectedly.
IC Date	March 19th, 2016
IC Time	10:18:09 2016, PDT.
Players	Kevin, Jake Miller
Location	Semibreve Technologies - Laboratory
Spheres	Shifter, Mortal+

March 19th, 2016 10:18 P.M. PDT Prospect, California, U.S.A.

Semibreve Technologies - Laboratory

Below ground, with walls of concrete and steel, the Laboratory is easily the most secure place in the building. It is well lit in the laboratory space with recessed lighting in alcoves along the ceiling. It is likely this area was originally designed to be a firing range before it was re-purposed, leading to the secure location it has now. The floor is white tile with spongy black silicone running mats.

Upon the walls are a myriad of, not only shelves with marked and catalogued bins of components, tools, and raw electronics materials but, also steel fittings with bolted rack frameworks for live computer components. There are four computer terminals with flat screen monitors in the main room and the chairs are comfortable affairs with black cloth cushions and swivel seats on rollers. A massive work table holds partially built electronic components ranging the gamut from computer parts to sound engineering equipment.

The main room is like a hub for several smaller rooms. An actual physics clean room can be found here for the small-scale manufacture of microchips, as well as two sound proofed rooms that are rather like the sound recording studio above. Both feature chairs with electrodes and what might be medical monitoring equipment, though there is no evidence of any sort of bio-medical facility. The final room is a server room with high-powered server rows that are liquid cooled. It is, in fact, as cool as a tomb down here at all times.

Contents: Kevin

Semibreve Technologies Parent

Obvious Exits:

Semibreve Technologies <ST>

Working at one of the terminals, Kevin has an array of components before him. One is a raw motherboard onto which he is placing a processor amidst clear silicone insulating gel.

...hummmmmmMMMMMMmmmmmMMMMMMMmmmmm...

What...is that?

There is a slight difference in the room’s atmosphere and frequency. It’s barely noticeable, and to the normal person with normal hearing it probably wouldn’t even register but...

...hummmmmmMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmMMMMMMMMmmmmmmm...

WHAT is that?

Is it coming from one of the terminals? Doesn't seem to be. Someone with perfect pitch just might tune into and recognize...a frequency of 6.88 × 10fourteen Hertz? Doesn’t light with a wavelength of 436 nm correspond to that frequency?

But the pitch is not coming from the room itself. It’s coming from...-everywhere- yet /nowhere/.

...hummmmmmmMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmMMMMMMMMMmmmmmm...

WHAT -IS- THAT???

Whatever it is, it’s a sound that Kevin has never heard before.

To someone with hearing as sensitive as Kevin, it's plenty audible. He didn't loose his hearing in certain frequencies like most people over twenty five do. His perfect pitch, indeed, causes him to blink as he focuses on the sound and sets down the motherboard. A micro-LRAD in hand, he steps over to the next terminal, then realizes it's coming from... everywhere. Is this what he gets for working in his primary lab rather than his secret one? He pinches the bridge of his nose. and turns, trying to use his stereoscopic hearing to pinpoint an origin even with it coming from everywhere.

A very light tingle begins in Kevin’s legs.

It’s so faint that at first Kevin might think he is imagining it. The tingle moves from his thighs to his calves, then reverses. There is no pain, numbness or discomfort associated with the tingle. It’s just...there.

Pinpointing the origin isn't easy but the sound seems to be coming from the very center of the room and at the same time that Kevin realizes this the air there seems to...shimmer? Ripple? Again, it’s subtle and most people would not even notice. Nothing happens for a moment but then the ripple is back, stronger, like a mirror being bent back and forth by large unseen hands.

The lights in the room f-l-i-c-k-e-r. Thankfully none of the computer equipment buzzing along seems to be effected but...then there’s /another/ flicker from the lights overhead. Perhaps there is a loose connection with one of the bulbs? Or in the wiring? Or...?

"Alright," says Kevin, "Not sure what's going on here. But... This. Is. MY. Turf." He taps a few things into one of the terminals, and the speaker system in the laboratory begins to echo with the thumping asyncronis beats of Dub Step. He narrows his eyes. Eyes that, since his awakening are gifted and cursed by The Sight. He sees all worlds overlain as one, the umbra, the deadlands, the Dreaming and the physical world. "Whatever is going on here; I know I didn't do it, and it doesn't feel like paradox. Show yourself or I will scramble your component molecules with ultrasonic waves.”

The tingle in Kevin’s legs gets stronger. It’s not harming him in any way and he’s totally able to stand and move as normal. It’s just a rather unsettling feeling, although, there is also something warm and fuzzy accompanied with the sensation; like being wrapped in a nice thick warm blanket of protection.

The ripple in the air returns, larger this time and the air begins to pulse and vibrate like a heartbeat and that very high pitched sound that would probably only be audible to certain types of dogs as it gets louder...and louder.

The pulsing heartbeat seems to be in time with the tingle in Kevin’s legs. Could...Kevin be having some sort of neurological problem? Like an aneurysm or stroke?

The ripple begins to grow, expanding in circumference...

SUDDENLY, beams of light like God rays erupt from the ripple, shooting into the room like lasers!

The lights overhead flicker again and one of the more delicate computer monitors *EXPLODES* in a shower of sparks.

Is this some sort of psychic attack? What the hell is going on?

Kevin suddenly gets a glimpse of all the worlds together in a flash and it seems that all the ruckus is coming from the Umbral world and is now spilling into his realm but...it's all happening so fast that he can't process it just yet. There appears to be a very powerful light spirit and two creatures in desperate and savage combat; one with a very evil aura that suggests a bane, the other the aura of a very brave Garou...

Reaching behind him, Kevin withdraws a dagger. One of the many minor magical and techno-magical items he retains. He is kin. He supports the Nation even if he is now a mage. And so, stepping forwards rather than back he moves with an efficiency like a stalking predator. The knife is ornate compared to something he would normally use; a dual edged affair with a likeness of the Goddess Hecate worked into its hilt and crosspiece. The blade has a presence in all worlds that Kevin can perceive.

In a flash of steel, Kevin strikes out at the bane.

He is as calm as a stone cliff in the face of a hurricane.

"You are nothing, Dark One. Return to nothing," he half whispers.

A ROAR of anger and outrage bursts forth from the Bane...and *shakes* the air violently as it continues to hold onto the Garou, wrapped in black tentacles resembling large eels which appear to be squeezing the life out of him. The Crinosed Garou is covered in what looks like fresh blood and black ichor and is swinging a fire axe as if his life depended on it.

The ichor soaked figure is thrown across the room, into the wall where it leaves a huge stain of gore and...

What the /fuck?/

...The tentacles that were holding this figure are...dissolving. It’s as if coming into contact with Kevin's knife and the mantra is causing the Bane to disappear, like tendrils of smoke. It isn't long before the beast is gone and the light spirit watches with an excited glee before racing off into the distance.

The gore drenched figure slumps to the floor, unconscious, axe still firmly in hand. From his size (yes, it’s definitely a male) it looks like he’s in very bad shape. His body is smoking too, like it’s been covered in some sort of acid.

To the light spirit, Kevin simply inclines his head with respect, re-sheathing the blade in his back-sheathe. He kneels beside the acid-covered form, the dupstep music continuing to play over the speakers as he kneels. First things first, he withdraws a device that looks like a sleek sort of arm-strapped MP3 player. He turns it on...

It releases a small cone of ultrasound, focused to be within two feet. This ultrasound is the Buddhist healing mantra 'Ta dya tha, Om beishajye beishajye, Maha beishajye beishajye, Raja samung gate svaha' repeated at a frequency of 49 kHz (well out of human hearing range at 20 kHz but well within canine at 60 kHz), or 49 cycles per every 7 seconds, invoking ritual mantra and the power of the number 49 in Buddhism as the number of days it takes for someone whom has passed from this world to be reincarnated in their next Jati.

The first sweep does not use the device's natural ability. Rather, he asesse show much acid there is... then with a wave of the device coincidentally effects chemical osprey The Garou lies still while Kevin sweeps he device over him, his massive chest rising and falling. Seems it's the Bane's black acidic blood which burns into the beasts body and between the device and the Garou's natural healing ability the burns are already beginning to subside.

The Garou's breathing remains slightly labored though but it's still holding onto the axe. Seems at the moment it's his security blanket. The beast then begins to move slowly, swallows hard and, although it's clear from his aura he's in tremendous pain, doesn't whimper. This is one tough son-of-a-bitch. Instead, a deep low growl relays the word, *Poisoned* Seems it knows what's wrong with him.

Once Kevin has made certain to neutralize any acid that might still be burning, healing factor or no he uses the device for it's primary purpose. It isn't something he can do on his own yet, something that he was able to reproduce as a Techno-Sorcerer that as yet he's unable to do, but the device mimics Mother's Touch, healing even aggravated wounds as it looses one of its daily charges in the process. "Easy there big fella," he says, "I'm Kinfolk. The name is Kevin Kim, Kin to the Glasswalker tribe. Your umbral battle ended up spilling into my laboratory... I'm just healing you."

As Kevin begins to heal the beast, it's body begins to relax and breathing becomes more stabilized. The pain in his aura is ebbing too but...well, that's interesting. There is another color in the beast's aura. It's a color Kevin has seen before. But where? The color is definitely familiar. Kevin -knows- this beast.

At the mention of Kevin's name the beast's brow furrows slightly but it doesn't move for a long moment. He's letting Kevin do his thing and remaining still. Finally, the beasts eyes do open and begin to focus on Kevin...it's grotesque expression clearly muddled and confused. *Kevin...Kim?*

Masterful with the simple talent of empathy, having spent more than enough time around his family's beast forms of late, Kevin is nonplussed by the expression. However, he is taken a little off guard by the familiarity; as always a man who trusts his instincts. "That's right," he says as the device slowly finishes and he shuts it down, "Dr. Kevin Kim. I'm sorry, I haven't seen everyone in Crinos... have we already met?"

As the beast blinks at Kevin, still looking confused and bewildered it stays silent, however a number of thoughts hit Kevin's mind; all coming from the beast. Kevin's name seem to have triggered them...

• FLASH* KEEP KEVIN SAFE

• FLASH* Patent Troll

• FLASH* KEEP KEVIN SAFE!

• FLASH* Mother Died

• FLASH* KEEP KEVIN SAFE

• FLASH* Gloria

• FLASH* KEEP KEVIN SAFE!!!

...It's as if a barrage of thoughts are hitting the beast that may or may not have to do with Kevin but for some reason the beast is now fearing for Kevin's safety.

Blinking, Kevin takes a step back. He shakes his head, "Wow. I know that mental tone. There aren't many people I've told... " He frowns, "No. JACK?" He facepalms, hand moving down over his nose and mouth, "THAT was your secret? You're Garou? Wait... you're here in Prospect?"

Once Kevin speaks Jack's name, more images are triggered in the beast; The balloon ride and crash. Healing Kevin's crushed legs. Kevin helping a deranged Chandler escape from the mall. Jack in Kevin's apartment and lab. Jack's growing fondness for his new friend. Jack’s constant worry regarding Kevin keeping his secret of being a healer. Kevin’s own words swing back at him also, in is own voice: "I can understand where you are coming from. Where there is life... there is also death. I've sensed in you... a primal... anger. Boiling, roiling beneath the surface, almost not you. I understand."

The beast blinks again, shakes his head as if tying to clear it...then nods silently. He then touches his forehead with his right paw and his form begins to meld...change...grow smaller until the beast is gone and in his place, still holding his axe, is Jack Miller. The young man hasn’t changed at all since Kevin last saw him and continues to look decidedly flummoxed and bewildered, as if he’s quite unsure of what is happening here. He deliberates a moment and his thoughts are foggy. One thing is sure though...he's quite happy to see Kevin.

• FLASH* Kin? Glass walker...Kin? KIN? Kevin is...Kin? (It’s as if Jack is having a lot of trouble processing that information)

• FLASH* What am I doing in Kevin's lab?

• FLASH* I thought Kevin left town. He must have been hiding out.

• FLASH* KIN???

• FLASH* I feel so weak. What’s wrong with me? Did that light spirit drain all my Gnosis?

• FLASH* Am I imagining all this?

Jack continues to look at Kevin through confused eyes before finally admitting, ”Yes, Kevin. That is my secret. A secret I couldn't dare let you know. If you found out the others might..." he sighs. "It was forbidden that I ever...But...you said...you just said...you were Kin. Glasswalker Kin. If that's true..." He blinks again. "Prospect? What's Prospect?”