Mysterious Circumstances (pm to discuss joining)

[slippedhalo]

Kate sipped her water then shrugged, "What would you like to know? I had a Masters in Comparative Religions and was about to become a nun. In my final year of independent study toward my PHD. in Philosophy. I took a trip around the world, visiting various places where I'd been invited to learn from various experts in theology and philosophy...And, somewhere during my journey I'd come to find I was not ready to pigeonhole myself into the narrow confines of the faith I'd nearly married myself to.
My mind had been opened to more possibilities and I had hoped to continue travelling and studying some of the greatest questions...And in Marrakech I was out at a market picking up some groceries, in my full robes and habit, I guess I stood out...I was attacked at knifepoint, pulled off to an alley and...mugged...I died from wounds. They had fun hurting me after they took my money. They were quite amused by something about me beneath the robes, maybe the hair color, or my youth...I don't know. But, whatever it was, they lost whatever semblance of self control they might've had if my appearance had been more what they'd been expecting. I was bleeding to death and in and out of consciousness so I'm not entirely sure but I think they might have raped me as I bled to death. I suspect the eye gouging bit came after, or close enough to the end I was too far gone to remember it. I don't know...probably better that most of the details are blurry."

Thankfully, both meals arrived before she could get herself any more uncomfortable.

 

[slippedhalo]

April shot out of the bed, screaming and disoriented. She didn't stay too freaked out this time. With a couple of blinks, she recognized where she was. No one else was awake and the bridge door was locked this time. She pounded it impatiently. "You can't do this to people against their will! I was dead. I wanted to be dead. You have no right!" She yelled at the MeRP approaching her shivering form, blue eyes blazing with fury.

 

[Othermoose]

David felt fury rise in his chest as Kate described her death. It made him angry, more than angry, when people committed evil acts on each other. He wanted to hug this woman, to comfort her and promise that no one would ever harm her again, but he didn't want to startle or make this woman uncomfortable. She was clearly still very distraught over the events that had led her here.

"Why am I so calm about dying?" David wondered. "Maybe I wanted to die. To get back to Stacey..." The chef droid arrived with their meal and David was thankful that Kate didn't have to finish her story.

"About seven years ago, my wife Stacey, was shot and killed. She was at the grocery store getting milk." David felt his eyes blur with tears. "I was left alone to raise our daughter, Molly. That's why I became a cop. To stop creeps who murder innocent people. To protect my little girl." David paused for a moment to collect himself. "I guess my sister Sarah is looking after Molly now. I miss them both..."

 

[slippedhalo]

Kate sighed, "I guess the lot of us have some emotional baggage to unpack here. You have a young child, I'm assuming you're not very old, then. Did you see the others? Perhaps dying too young is one of the things we all share in common?"

The chef bot chimed in, "Affirmative. Prerequisite to our program, under age forty. Consider this program your second lease on a life cut short." The monotone didn't really match well with the slick, false cheer of the obviously scripted words.

Kate chose not to reply to the bot and simply tasted her food. "It's perfect. Really good, thank you."

They ate in silence for a minute, until the robot had left them, then Kate said softly to David, "I'm sorry about your wife, David. And, I'm sure that, although it may be a relief to have your sister, your daughter probably misses you very much. I'm sorry you're here, missing her...Bloody awful, this whole being dead yet not, business."

 

[Othermoose]

"Dying really is terrible." David nodded in agreement then sighed. "I know she misses me, but if I think about that it'll tear me apart. She'll be 9 soon." David shakes his head and is silent for a few moments. "I know it's rude to ask, but how old are you? I'm 34" David need a distraction from the memories that were threatening to overtake him. He figured the best distraction would be to get to know this woman that he'd be spending his foreseeable future with.

 

[slippedhalo]

Kate shrugged, "Depends on how long we've been here, I guess. But, in my last moments I was twenty-nine. Oh dear, turning thirty in a few months doesn't seem quite so scary, on borrowed time anyway." She chuckled softly at her own joke. "My voice sounds odd to me. I'd been under a vow of silence for nearly a year before all this."

The swishing of automatic doors opening from the medical area made both heads turn, though Kate felt silly after doing so, given that she couldn't see who it was anyway.

The woman approached them and leaned on the table, "They gave you clothes and food? Are you the only other humans awake here?" She asked.

Kate nodded, "There are quarters and supplies for each of us. David took the first room on the left and, I guess, my room is across the hall from his, first on the right. Whichever room you choose will provide you clothes which fit you if you'd like to change out of the medical gown. I'm Kate." She put out het hand to shake in the direction she could hear the woman's breath and voice from.

April took the hand put before her, a bit too high and too far right...She shook Kate's hand. "I'm April. Are you...blind?"

Kate blushed and nodded, "For now. I'm told it's temporary. I've been given new eyes. Was it so obvious?"

April shook her head then felt foolish, realizing Kate wouldn't see the head shake. "Not very. Um, sorry about your eyes. I'm, eh...gonna look for something to wear. Oh, where's the food come from? I'm starving!"

 

[Othermoose]

David was surprised when Kate said she was 29. "I would have guessed you younger." He said. Before he could say anything more the door opened up to reveal a very pretty young woman. After a brief conversation where Kate told her where to get clothing the woman, April, left to get new clothes. Two beautiful women! David smiled inwardly. "This trip just keeps getting better and better." He thought to himself. He hadn't been with a woman since Stacey and David figured if now wasn't the right time to get back on the market, than he might as well go celibate. David turned to Kate. "I wonder if anyone else will wake up soon or if will just be the three of us." He said.

 

[slippedhalo]

Kate smiled, "How many others are being revived in there?" She asked, unsure of the number of test subjects. "Are you at all nervous about whatever Scientific Research Earth Gov. intends to do using us? I have a feeling bringing us back from the dead isn't going to be their only trick considering they have us set up here as if they expect to keep us around for quite a long time, months...maybe years...Something seems fishy, especially them doing it out in unfamiliar space." She said.

April returned to the table, having changed into a grey and silver striped sweater and black leggings with knee high, grey, boots. She'd stopped the chef bot in the kitchen area to ask it for some French onion soup with extra cheese and crusty bread, and a pint of stout beer. She smiled shyly at the man and said to them both, "So, any news?"

Kate laughed, "Not being dead is pretty new."

 

[Othermoose]

David chuckled at Kate's joke, but then grew more serious. "I don't know what they have planned for us, but I doubt it's anything good." David sat for a moment pondering the situation before remembering Kate's condition. She didn't know how many people were in the med bay. "I saw 14 other people including you Kate. I woke up to a boy choking, his throat had been slashed, and I put him back in his cot. I don't know how long it would take to revive him. The band on his wrist said his name was Austin and that he was 18." David paused disturbed that someone so young had such a gruesome death.

David shook his head and turned to April. "So miss, what's your story? I was a cop killed in the line of duty and Kate was a nun who was murdered..." David paused to let the angry edge leave his voice. He was still enraged by the circumstances of Kate's death. David regained his composure. "How did you end up here? If you don't mind sharing that is."

 

[slippedhalo]

April looked at Kate and was surprised the other woman had been a nun, or murdered, "How horrible! Both of you...such violent ends!" She paused to sip the foam on her pint, then continued, "Me, I was prepared for my passing. I was so tired at the end. I was diagnosed with leukemia two years ago, I spent most of the past year lying in a hospital bed just waiting to die, wanting it...so much pain! I was so happy when I felt myself slipping away. I even saw my grandad who had died of a stroke four years ago. But, then I woke up here and felt needles and cold hospital stuff all over again and got proper annoyed...kind of stormed the bridge, almost took an android hostage...But, I realized I wasn't going to get very far with no weapon, or clothes...Then, they put me back to sleep (locked the bridge) and I woke up about fifteen minutes ago."

 

[Othermoose]

David nodded as he heard April's story. He could tell that she'd been sick, but the rejuvenation had restored her back to decent shape. It was sad that after her long fight with sickness she had given up, but David could understand why. He would try his best to make April's, and Kate's, new lives as enjoyable as possible. "Did they tell you anything else April? I know we're outside of Earth space, but I don't know where we're going. Did they tell you why we're here? Why the chose us? Did they tell you anything at all?"

 

[slippedhalo]

"Nope. All I was told was that our bodies had been donated to Science and that the government bought us to use in the Top Secret Space experiment. I don't even think they told the coroners themselves what was planned for us. I see none of the people look super old or super young...Eww, we're all of "reproductive age"." April said making air quotations with her fingers. "I don't suppose it would matter to them that they bagged themselves a nun here and a girl who tends to prefer girls to boys, would it?" She asked.

Kate shivered, "This new life isn't worth becoming some animal for their entertainment. I'll tell you that much." She finished her meal and sat back, pondering. "I'm not going to be comfortable with...Well, April, I hope you're wrong." She concluded, her freckled cheeks colored slightly at the prospect of perverted sexual experimentation, "...not even for Science."

April tucked in to her soup. "This is really delicious!" She said. "Do you think there's Scientists on board or only we test subjects are the only living humans?"

 

[Othermoose]

OOC: I'm going to do two posts in a row so please wait until I've done both to post yours.

 

[Othermoose]

Austin was back home again. His father stood over him, his face twisted in fury. Austin felt fear and pain, feelings always associated with his father. Then he was in his room staring as his wrists and arms welled with blood. He could feel the cold blade of the knife as he held it to his throat. He dug the edge into his waiting flesh and felt pain. The worst pain possible. Everything went red, then faded to black.

Austin opened his eyes. "Where am I?" He thought as he sat up. He was in some kind of medical area lined with beds wearing a paper gown. The he remembered waking up choking. His hand clutched his throat, and he felt the long welt of a scar running across it. He stood up and watched as a MeRP approached him.

Austin tried to speak but all he could manage was a horse groan. He tried again and was able to force out one word in a horse whisper. "Cigarettes?" "I am sorry Austin Greene but there are no tobacco products on board. We do however have food, clothing..."

The MeRP stopped speaking as Austin turned and headed for the door that led to the crew area. Austin entered the fourth room on the right, and saw the wardrobe. He walked to it and opened it up surveying the clothing inside. "Guess these are better than nothing." he thought to himself as he began to select his clothing.

 

[Othermoose]

David rubbed the back of his neck when April said reproductive age. He hoped they wouldn't be forced to have kids with each other. "This ship is no place for a child." He thought. David addressed April's last question. "I'd say if there were scientist onboard they'd have started experimenting on us by now. I think it just us. Maybe if..."

David paused as the door opened to reveal the tall frame of Austin. He was dressed in tight black jeans that were tucked into combat boots and a black t-shirt that had the logo for the band "tool" on the front of it. Ignoring the people in the room Austin grabbed a bottle of vodka, a bottle of orange soda, and a glass. Continuing to ignore the others Austin left the room. A few moments later the sound of heavy metal music could be heard throughout the ship, it's origin seeming to be one of the bedrooms.

David sat in stunned silence. This punk kid just came back from the dead and he was ignoring them? David looked at the two women sitting with him struggling to find the words he needed. Finally, with a defeated look on his face, asked the women. "What do we do here?"

 

[slippedhalo]

Kate winced at the sound of the music when it first started blasting. "Who was that?" She asked just before David's question.

April took a swig of her beer, then stood. "I think I'll find out." She said, trotting over to the room the music came from. She knocked on the door and waited, then pounded this time. "Hey! There's about eleven people trying to sleep and three of us trying to hear ourselves think. A little consideration goes a long way. Could you turn that a smidge lower, please?" She called through the closed door. Her voice was good at carrying. In High School Glee Club she'd learned how to project it when necessary so she knew goth kid could hear her over the music.

 

[Othermoose]

Austin was enjoying the ships musical facilitates when he heard a voice over his music asking him to turn it down. "The cheerleader doesn't like slayer?" Austin thought to himself. "Maybe she just can appreciate it such a low volume." Austin smiled as he turned his music up louder. He hoped that his music would piss her off. He'd always hated girls like her, acting superior, and trying to keep the "peace". He knew that he'd enjoy this fight, even if he couldn't turn it into a shouting match.

 

[slippedhalo]

April leaned on the door and started singing, "New York, New York", Sinatra, the last arrangement her glee club sang together before preparing for graduation. Honestly, thinking back to her high school days and arguing with a pouty goth reminded her of being a teenager again and she couldn't help herself. Getting louder than the music, she went into a Broadway medley, which had Kate shaking her head from the other room. Oh, she knew she was stooping to his level but she was having fun with it. Hell, irritating annoying people was one part of life she had forgotten was enjoyable.

 

[Othermoose]

"Cheerleader wants to play rough?" Austin thought feeling a smug smile spread across his face. "We can play rough."

David shook his head as the ship began the vibrate with the volume of Austin's music. He could clearly hear the singer, or more like screamer, repeating the phrase "people equal shit" over and over. "Should I try to stop them?" David shouted to Kate over the music.

 

[slippedhalo]

Kate nodded to David, holding her hands to her ears.

Meanwhile, April scowled and continued singing, "Hard Knock Life".

 

[Othermoose]

Austin had to give the cheerleader credit for trying to compete with Slipknot, but their singer was nicknamed "the great-big mouth" for a reason. Austin was smiling now, he always had enjoyed knocking snobby people down a couple pegs. Austin's smile turned to a grimace as the large man burst into his room. The man snatched the remote from Austin's hands and shut off the music. The man then grabbed Austin by the arm and dragged him into the dining area throwing him to into a chair. "What the fuck!" Austin managed to choke out his rage overwhelming the pain of speaking. "Apologize you little shit!" David shouted. Austin responded by flipping of David who looked as if he would explode with rage. Austin waited to see if someone would intervene. If no one stepped in there would be one hell of a fight.

 

[slippedhalo]

April stood by the table, arms crossed, tapping her foot. Kate stared blankly ahead. She could hear the arguing but, sightless, she was helpless to stay seated for the time being.

April added, "Shit, David, he's in my spot. I wasn't done eating."

 

[slippedhalo]

A monotone computer voice came over the ship's intercom, "Maximum Volume Ceiling lowered to within acceptable parameters. Thank you for your patience as we correct aspects of existence to make cohabitation more comfortable for everyone. No longer will the equipment be able to be set higher than Level 20. Thank you and enjoy your day."

 

[Othermoose]

Austin saw the bowl of soup on the table and quickly snatched it up. He threw it at David's face where it exploded on contact. David was momentarily blinded by the assault and Austin used this distraction to tackle David to the floor. Austin sat on David's chest and began slamming his fists into the mans face. "I feel stronger" Austin thought as David tried to buck him off. Austin kept his balance and kept his barrage up, while David used his arms to cover his face. "I've got this old fuck beat" Austin thought smugly.

Austin's victory was short lived as David's powerful fist slammed into his face knocking him flat on the floor. David stood up and swiftly stomped on Austin's chest causing the teen to curl up in pain. David delivered a few more kicks before shouting: "Touch anyone again and I'll end you!" David stormed out of the room leaving Austin gasping in pain on the floor.

 

[slippedhalo]

April stood and looked down at the goth boy as he writhed on the floor. "What's your name, Ludwig von Beethoven?" She asked, kneeling to check if he was seriously injured or not.

Kate chuckled at the deaf composer joke. "April, be nice. Maybe he actually is hard of hearing."