( closed ) life like the unplumbed sea;

[transmit]

WHO: Elysium & friends(?)
WHAT: This is now just a catch-all for everything
WHERE: Everywhere
WHEN: 2024
WARNINGS: Blanket warning for possible explorations of dark themes in general, please tread at your own risk. I will, however, endeavour to include specifics in headers if applicable.

Comments

research team memory (cw: human experimentation, death, implied self-harm)

[penaltypoints]

[ At first, as you and your new colleagues gather in this humble secluded laboratory in the Outskirts, brought together by your team's leader, Carmen, you find yourself able to breathe easier. You don't recall the last time you felt this way — you were accustomed to your solitude, alone with your questions and your dreams, everything that others around you dismissed as pathetic. Suddenly, it occurs to you that it was lonely then, that you were unhappy, existing day after day surrounded by reminders that it wasn't within your power to make the world a better place, and perhaps it was arrogant to entertain such thoughts. But here... All of these people came here because they share that goal. Carmen could even substantiate her claims with scientific evidence, sufficient proof that the research ahead would yield the cure that humanity needs.

It makes hope a palpable thing, not an abstract concept.

Before long, the assembled group consists of a variety of individuals. Some are more reserved than others — Ayin is aloof, Giovanni is quiet, Michelle timid. Kali's demeanor suits her role, as a Fixer recruited to protect the team, and Benjamin is courteous. They form contrasts beside Elijah's restless energy and Daniel's affable manner, both evidently unwavering. Carmen herself seems tirelessly bright with conviction.

A mix of strangers, all of whom recognize that the City must change. The collaboration is encouraging.

It is, until it all begins to unravel, thread by thread.

The dream fractures, splitting into fragments of memories. Progress is not easily achieved. The experiments kill Enoch — just a child, for all his maturity — and Lisa is left behind, anguished and resentful. Carmen's radiant light fades to nothing, and the shadows grow darker with each passing day. The loss engraves its impact upon the entire team. Ayin sees nothing of the people remaining around him, you think. Giovanni grows more withdrawn; Kali ever vigilant. Michelle and Benjamin worry while Elijah throws herself into everything that she possibly can. Even Daniel is subdued, distracted.

Maybe this is when you begin to die as well, slowly, from within — or was it before that? This road to walk is built with sacrifices and sins, supposedly out of necessity, all for the greater good. Still, the experiments continue, and you and your colleagues don't turn away from the project. Elijah makes herself a test subject, recklessly, only to lose her life.

You think and think, searching for answers, recommending measures to implement (too late), though nothing can prevent incidents that have already taken place. Nothing will undo them. And no matter how rationally you try to approach the reality of the situation, the phantom fingers throttling you are relentless, and you

Can't stand this, any of it, drowning beneath the surface.

Gabriel scrubs the blood from his nails. Washing his hands reopens wounds to treat before they are out of sight inside his gloves, but it makes no difference when all of him is on display all too soon, once his refusal to comply with the examination is disregarded altogether. Ayin can call upon Kali — he stands no chance against her. The door is locked, and escape is impossible.

> Enforce the procedure. ]