the cells I am at the moment

[cricketycricket.livejournal.com]

[Private]

I'm not one for superstition, but ... this year's Tanabata festival seems to have gone much more favorably than the last I participated in. I wished for a way to stop her, to end this, permanently. And I very well might have it. This isn't the way I would have preferred to deal with her, but given the way Allen and Junior have reacted ... and what she's done ... and what she's made others do ...

I can't leave any more room for forgiveness.

And it isn't just about redeeming my own mistakes, or fixing what's been done wrong. About smoothing over the past, soothing old wounds, or rectifying any outstanding inequities.

It's about doing what's right. Even if it limits me. I'll do what I can, and pass it on to those who'll be able to actually do the deed and make a difference.

And then, perhaps, I'll go and look for Lente.

[/Private]

[Filtered Away From Riful & The First Generation, and Any of Their Allies]

I've been examining the pieces of flesh found out in the forest. And I have some disturbing news...

Yes, they're distinctively supernatural. They don't react to temperature changes - I've taken some of the samples and both heated and frozen them. The only place where they've been damaged has been in the places where it had begun to decay ... and even then, it seems more like the tarnishing of metal than physical rotting. I had to use a small laser mounted on one of my work-tables to cut the samples I used for the control experiments - nothing else would cut them effectively, without extreme force or perseverance. Some of the larger sample pieces would even regenerate after being cut with a scalpel... not enough to completely repair themselves, but noticeably. After several attempts to cut the flesh, it did give way - it seems as though its innate resistant qualities can be worn down. Upon closer cellular inspection, it's not actually metal, as much as it may appear so and behave so, to an extent. It truly is a form of flesh, but it's been hardened by some process other than calcification.

I hear we have a few forensic specialists in the castle ... I would welcome your input, if at all possible. I'm down in the Peace Patrol headquarters. Just let me know that you're coming, and I will come and let you in.

.... I'd also like to request that anyone who has seen Riful of the West in her inhuman form please come and take a look at this. It looks much like the descriptions I have read from others of what she is capable of forming herself into ... but I'd rather not jump to any conclusions until I have absolute confirmation.

If this truly did come from her body ... we may finally have a key to defending ourselves.

Thank you for your time. I'm sorry to bring up such squeamish subjects so close to the dinner hour... but it needed to be said.

Comments

[cricketycricket.livejournal.com]

[he's spent months and months putting a good face on all of this, giving benefits of doubt and second chances, and Riful exploited them all. combine that with all the damage she and her "friends" have done, and he will be more than happy to see her die. if that bisected, steaming bit of flesh was once part of her ... it bodes very, very, VERY well for that wish]

It seems the blade would be far more effective, in this case, though, doesn't it...?

[encryptedlock]

[York nods.]

Plasma against bare flesh is nasty business, though, even a weak burst - and the guns have one distinct advantage. Range.

[He picks up the slightly disgusting small chunk he'd broken off and quickly wishes up a container to seal it in for testing out in the Danger Room.]

I only have the one knife, and if these tentacles are any indication of size? I want to be the hell away from the whole thing.

[cricketycricket.livejournal.com]

This is Riful we're discussing, York. I think "nasty business" is just what -- [the Doctor ordered]

Well. You know.

[encryptedlock]

[York chuckles a little and nods.]

All right. I'll test the sample with regular and overcharged blasts and see what we get.

...You can see why I don't want this sort of thing in the hands of someone who isn't properly safety trained, though.

[cricketycricket.livejournal.com]

Absolutely. ... I know that Alleyne is doing combat training
... perhaps the two of you can put your heads together?

[encryptedlock]

[...Unlikely he'd ever trust anyone who's not actually UNSC with these, but he nods anyway. You never knew what direction things might go. Besides, there was always the Danger Room for simulations where nobody would actually get serious plasma burns.]

I'll see what we can do, yeah.

good god I'm sorry for that horrible formatting. /blames phone

[cricketycricket.livejournal.com]

Excellent. ... Anything else I might be able to help with?

[he casts a glance around the lab. he wants NOTHING more than to catch up with York, to talk about anything and everything the way they used to, but ... there are more and more people expressing interest in coming down, and ... he can't just leave]

no worries~

[encryptedlock]

Let's see...Wash is an alien and Rookie's a snow leopard, so try to be nice to them if you see them. [And Kat's in a bad mood, but that won't stop until Wash isn't an alien any more.]

Other than that and testing out the plasma pistol, don't think I know anything off the top of my head?

[He would too, but...there'll be plenty of time once they've dealt with the immediate problem, right?]

knew I loved you for a reason <3

[cricketycricket.livejournal.com]

Oh my. I certainly shall...

[there will, indeed. he just hopes that immediate problem can be dealt with swiftly, now that they have some proper leads]

Re: knew I loved you for a reason <3

[encryptedlock]

Appreciate it, Doctor. Think I'll go run those tests, then?

[cricketycricket.livejournal.com]

Absolutely. ... I take it we'll each be in touch with the other, if we need anything else, mm? [he smiles]

[encryptedlock]

You know it!

[And he waves to go.]