[color=d43426]“Well, now that the results of the inquiry are in, I think we can all say that this is fucking [i]horseshit[/i].”[/color] General Ross in his blue Air Force attire stood ahead of a lineup with damn near the entire security force at Outpost 36. One exception was the Chief of security, off to the side with his gaze distant. Throwing aside a piece of paper tucked into a manila folder, he paraphrased, [color=d43426]“The intruder drove out of Las Vegas on a stolen motorcycle north up highway 93 for about an hour before turning straight into the wilderness. After another 20 minutes or so he stumbled right into the ongoing test site of on of our experiments. The guard on duty claimed that he escaped notice because cameras were only positioned near incoming roads and checkpoints, which were all bypassed. Fences were not erected because it was deemed to be too conspicuous to construct them.”[/color] Stern eyes running down the line, Ross called, [color=d43426]“Blonsky, get over here.”[/color]

A blonde man with a firm chin and cauliflower ears stood to face Ross, his blue eyes aiming to match Ross’ gaze in intensity. [color=d43426]“Cameras were only positioned near roads and checkpoints. Everywhere else, the only thing we have to keep intruders out is thoughts and fucking prayers. Did that thought ever cross your mind?”[/color]

[color=99CC33]“I didn’t construct the base sir, I just did my job.”[/color]

[color=d43426]“No, you didn’t construct the base, but you sure were on the team who conducted the safety audit following the commencement of operations. If you ask me, you sure as hell did not do your fucking job.”[/color] Emil Blonsky’s nostrils flared, and behind his back his hands flexed. [color=d43426]“We are military contractors. That gives us more freedom to do our jobs, but just because what we do here isn’t going to publicly reflect on the military doesn’t mean what we do here shouldn’t be held to some kind of a standard. The military is rigid, and that’s worked for fucking centuries, but here? We need the best of the best doing what they do not because they’re being commanded to, but because they give a shit, and I cannot order you to give a shit. So find one to give, or I will be planting a boot in your ass and no one will be finding any more shits to give, not from you, am I fucking clear?”[/color] Blonsky’s mouth twitched, but no sound same out. [color=d43426]“Answer [b]me[/b].”[/color]

[color=99CC33]“Yes sir.”[/color] A vein bulged on his forehead and one hand had a white knuckled grip on his wrist. Ross jerked his head and Blonsky spun off, returning to his position.

[color=d43426]“Let this be a wake up call. If a fucking rat so much as steps out of line there will be hell to pay. Two people were at risk because of your fuck up, and they only lived because you weren't the only one to fuck up. I know this is Vegas, but I sure as shit wouldn’t make a bet with any of your luck. Dismissed.”[/color] Ross turned and headed for the door, heat on his back from their hateful gazes that he found easy to bear.[hr]Stepping off of the treadmill, at Samson’s directive Bruce stripped the wired sensors off of his torso, wiping some sweat before grabbing his shirt back. [color=fee226]“You only ran for 15 minutes. You should probably be exercising more.”[/color]

Breath coming hard, Bruce insisted, [color=AF7AC5]“I’ve been meaning too.”[/color]

Samson gave a sly smile before making a note on a clipboard. [color=fee226]“We’ll do the psych evaluation proper in a few days, I’m still reviewing somethings. Is there anything you’d like to share in the meantime?”[/color]

Bruce let a shade of unease pass over him. [color=AF7AC5]“What kind of things?”[/color]

[color=fee226]“You had some things stand out in your file, is all. You seem pretty together, all things considered. What’s your vice? Alcohol? Weed? Crack? Hallucinogenics? Church?”[/color] Catching Bruce’s raised eyebrow, Samson offered, [color=fee226]“This isn’t a sting, there wasn’t a drug test when you got interviewed, was there? Well, not for the scientists of course. You’re all vetted by your credentials and frankly, some of the higher ups are open to ah, mind expanding substances. Results matter more than anything, and frankly I’m all for it, as long as it’s not made to be someone else’s problem.”[/color]

Bruce slowly nodded. [color=AF7AC5]“Huh, well then. Church?”[/color]

Samson shrugged. [color=fee226]“I’ve seen people get so amped up at a superchurch sermon they pass out. It’s not for me personally, but I don’t judge. Faith can be good for people who need it in the right environment, it’s just a matter if you need it or not, and, well, the whole field could stand to be held to a higher standard of mental health.”[/color]

[color=AF7AC5]“…But crack though?”[/color]

[color=fee226]“Curious today, aren’t you? Don’t go for that one, it’s stupid. I’ve tried it. It’s not even a great high, but it makes your brain just want it more. Even though I recognized how illogical it was for me to want more crack, I just kept wanting it, at least for a while. I made sure some friends kept me from getting more so it could wear off.”[/color]

Bruce knew he’d hardly known Doc Samson, but now he somehow felt like he knew him both too much and not enough. [color=AF7AC5]“Why would you try it in the first place? No judgment.”[/color]

[color=fee226]“For the experience! For the understanding! If you’re even a little interested, it doesn’t hurt to try it once...usually. Just stay safe out there. Oh and for liability purposes, nothing I said in the last couple minutes is by any means an endorsement. See you in a couple days Bruce.”[/color] Samson patted Bruce on the back, a touch that made his muscles tense as touch often did.

Leaving the medical ward, head abuzz with ways of thinking he’d never encountered before, Bruce was still in his civvies as he went through the halls of Cadmus, off towards the shuttle that would take him back to the rest of his day. But before he made it, a voice had called out from behind. “Hey, Bruce!” He turned to see the rounded face of Glenn Talbot as the man approached him, mouth hanging open he pleaded, “Man, I’m so fucking sorry, I panicked and-”

Bruce held up his hand. [color=AF7AC5]“Hey, it’s okay, nothing happened.”[/color]

“I know, but I looked at the numbers again and it really should have! You two are lucky to be alive right not. I just...I’m working with another group right now, but I promise I’ll make it up to you. I’m gonna try and be a better person all around, honest.”

With a slow intake of breath, Bruce slowly raised a hand, pulling from Doc Samson’s repertoire and giving him a limp pat on the back. [color=AF7AC5]“Good for you man. Be sure to add exercise in if you haven’t already, it’s really important.”[/color] Seemingly relieved, Talbot went off to his other duties, leaving Bruce to return to his lonesome journey through the halls. His mind went over the experiment again and again. The rod had been fresh, the test runs had show sufficient output, but it amounted to squat. A part of him yearned to try the emitter again, but knowing it wouldn’t be possible, he let out a sigh, and with that sigh all the regret he might have built up fled from his body. Things were fine as they were. Even though they could be better, it was too much to hope for.[hr]Facing his locker, fist clenched at his side, Emil Blonsky was in a fierce debate. He visualized himself punching a hole through that metal. He could see the blood from split skin on his knuckles, the writeup he would get. A crushing weight came down on him inside as he imagined losing this job. The pay was well above what he could get anywhere else, and it was only on recommendation that he landed it in the first place. With the anxiety cooling his anger, he went to a nearby bench and flopped down, though not before getting his phone. Shooting a message to his dealer, he looked for another way to get through the rough spot. Or at least, he had been about to. Looking up, he saw someone where she shouldn’t be, long legs poking out of a black dress. He could see her indigo lipstick and pure white eyes, but frankly he found it hard to focus on anything above the neck. [color=99CC33]“Nice tattoo.”[/color]

Tala ran a finger across the three linked circles scoured onto her sternum, flashing a smile and batting her eyelids. [color=7e6ab8]“Are you familiar with the symbol? Or are you just a charmer?”[/color] Blonsky stood as she approached, placing her hands on his security vest and looking up at his eyes. [color=7e6ab8]“I was hoping you could give me a hand with something in the Material Sciences Department, in, oh, a few days? I can make it worth your while. That embarrassment you suffered, from a man so petty and weak despite his station...you’re above that. You deserve to be above that.”[/color] Blonsky was looking, but not listening. Tala laughed, and so did he. He was in the palm of her hand before she’d even opened it to clasp him.