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"I see no evidence of the usual Drone Soldier augments on you. And I see no evidence of this pictures being faked." The manic, crazed look she had moments ago and her posture has immediately shifted into something more sober? Maybe solemn even. "Same with the android. You shouldn't even be here. It should be a warzone up there."
"The last time I fought in any battle officially regarded as part of the Antiseptic War was March 18th, 2199. Five weeks before the war ended. It's 2255. P-Corp didn't lose. They simply forgot you were ever here." Naomi clasps her hands together before lowering her head, as if she doesn't want to say this next statement. "You were left to die here, I'm afraid."
The RESEARCH HEAD's gaze scans across her ruined and filth-soaked lab. She finally removes her glasses to reveal her neon purple eyes with thick, heavy bags underneath. "What of my research, then? I was doing a whole study down here about how we could harness these..." Her gaze shifts to the glasses in her hands. "...and create our own perspectives. Without relying on them."
"Wait, were ya the one who wrote that 'SHIFTER'-" Clover's questioning gets promptly cut off.
"I wore every PARADIGM I could down here! Trying to understand their secrets! To let the voices flood in! So I could understand how to make my own; YET YOU TELL ME ALL OF THAT WAS FOR NOTHING?!" Her glasses begin to shatter and chip in her hands from how much effort she was putting on them. "It was going to be my breakthrough! My killer app."
"What was the point then?" Her voice sounds so distant now. Quiet, meek. Like a little girl's.
"Perhaps there ain't one anymore. I can't blame ya for losing ya mind down here." Clover tries his best to break the tension with a laugh and a smile but it's obvious he doesn't have the heart for it. "I would too. There's nothing of value left here. All you can do is move on."
"Move on? I. My whole life was here."
"Perhaps." Naomi nods. "Perhaps. Yet do you wish to waste what little time you have left down here?"
"Maybe you have five years left. Maybe ten. It may not seem like much time-" Casey's gaze shifts to Quentin, clearly waiting for him to finish.
"BuT GOD, it is a lifetime for me." Quentin chokes out from his shell's ruined throat. "Savor what you HAVE, human."
The RESEARCH HEAD is now staring down at the floor. Whatever madness, whatever false perspective she's been coasting off of has collapsed in on itself. "What now?" The energy's gone at this point. You doubt she can even walk on her own.
"We'll get you out of here. Out of this den of filth." Wendy hisses through clenched teeth. "...and maybe I can find a job opportunity for you."
"Let's get moving. We need you out of here as soon as possible. Clover?" Kiara nods her head over towards the cowboy. He gets the hint and moves in to pick up the RESEARCH HEAD.
He lifts her up with way too much ease. "Wow, uh. When did you last eat?" Silence is her answer. Clover squawks out a nervous half-chuckle.
