External Communication 2012.000345

Entered By: Tharis
Written By: Brianna.T.Wedge
Last related post: Unexpected Gap Filled With Life, Wedge

Dear Emz,

How have you been? It's been so long since we spoke. I know it seems like I've disappeared off the face of the Earth, but I haven't. I'm just very preoccupied. But hopefully I'll be able to write to you more often.

So you're probably wondering why I'm suddenly writing after so long? Well I could just say that it was because I was feeling guilty, but that would be a lie. Don't get me wrong - I think of you often, but that's not the main reason. My friend Arthur recently caught up with one of his old friends, and let's just say it meant a lot. So I decided to write!

I can't really talk about what I'm doing here - just working. Confidentiality and all! But it's mostly enjoyable. The people I work with are amazing. Arthur's actually working with us too. It does get tiring sometimes. I find I can't get a break from it often. I'm thinking of going on a short holiday soon. I realise that it's been only a month or two since my last one, but I could use it. The stress gets to me at times. I try not to think of it.

What have you been up to lately? Still interested in gaming? I understand it's getting hotter there now. It's just getting colder here, and I love it. You know I love the winter, even the one here in England. I go up to Scotland every now and again - where I wanted to live. But England is close enough. I might go to Sweden for a few days... it's snowing there now. Well in some places.

How is Roo? I miss him! He's such a good boy. Kenai's going ok - I see him every night, but he gets to spend his days out and about in this large forested area, doing as he pleases. He's enjoying it. But he misses me. And I miss him. But there's nothing I can do.

I had a meeting the other day with all the other members of the organisation (well the head members) which went well. One of them even visited us, and took control of our head office for a while. Nothing much changed though - except the air conditioner was on a lot more than normal.

I'd better wrap it up now. I might be able to come and visit soon - but I'm really busy, so it might have to wait until after this whole big mess is sorted. Depends on what is going on when I take some holiday time.

It's funny, when I'm there with you it's like I'm just an average young person. And I enjoy that. But when I'm here, working, I have to be the older person that is responsible. I know you find it crazy that I moved here, and that I have a high-up job in an organisation you've never heard of, but that's just the way things are I guess. You're still my best buddy.

Love Wedge.

Log 236753.94 Ar

Log 236753.94
Following: Arthur
Reported By: Tharis
Last Related Post: 'Electronic Virus', Arthur's Blog.

Arthur moved out of the room and padded down the hall. He entered the main lab, hearing the soft spurt of air behind him from the air-locked door closing. It was darker than before, but there was still a lone figure bent over the desk across the lab. Arthur swallowed, slightly anxious but at the same time he was looking forward to having a meaningful conversation. He ventured up to the desk and seated himself next to the occupied tiger.

“One second.” Julian muttered from his work, as he signed off. He looked up to Arthur and beamed a friendly, understanding smile to him while removing his glasses and setting them upon the desk.

“I know you don’t need glasses, Julian – so why do you wear them?”
“My human form does, and I don’t know, I guess I’ve just gotten used to them when I need to look at things up close.” Julian chuckled, his voice solid and melodic. Arthur still was surprised how …’un-growlish’ it was.

“Now, we can go for a wander, if you like, but it’s raining out there so perhaps we should just remain here?”
“Yeah, um, whatever is good. I don’t mind.” Arthur said, his nervousness not being missed by Julian.
“Hey, don’t worry yourself Arthur. This isn’t an interrogation or therapy session. Just a couple of mates talking.”

Julian rose from his seat and removed his white lab coat, placing it back on its hook on the wall and removing his normal coat to wear. He slipped it on, black contrasting against his white fur even in the dull light. He walked back, straightening himself up, before taking a detour to a pot of tea sitting on the bench.
“Tea?” He asked casually, pouring himself a cup.
“No thanks. I don’t really like the flavour.”
Julian smiled, and carried his cup back over.
“Maybe one day. Here, come and sit over at the couches. Even the scientists needed a place to relax.”

Arthur followed him, and seated himself opposite Julian in the lounge. He couldn’t help but feel the age difference between them. Julian sipped his tea and leaned back into the sofa.
“So, I hear you’re feeling left out?”
“Yeah. I mean, I don’t mean to be…but it’s just like you guys aren’t including me in things that I might be able to help with, or might need to know at some point. I want to help. I want to be useful, and be an asset to the team. I want to be part of the team. I know that I’m not as old as you guys, and that I’m not as bright – but I just don’t like being treated as an extra. Not when I’m involved in the same situations.”
“Yes, quite so.”
“And I really appreciate your offer, to work with you more. But I’m afraid I won’t be much good, since I’m no doctor.”
“Yeah, well, you can learn. You’re brighter than you think you are. Just because you were born human doesn’t automatically make you stupid, or not worth as much.”
“Thanks, it’s nice to hear it honestly.”
“No problem. But I don’t see any issues – everyone has to learn, and start somewhere. If you’re happy doing menial things from time to time, and learning complicated things, then I’m glad to have a helper. But I get the feeling… you’re worried that spending more time with me will result in less time with Wedge?”
“Yeah, you’re right on the money there Julian.” Arthur stated sheepishly. He felt embarrassed that he could have strong feelings for one of the team like this. Julian, of course, noticed.

“Don’t be embarrassed by it, Arthur – it was only natural to happen. When we’re together so much, and part of something so exclusive…all we have is each other. And being around so much ….pain, and hardship, it’s expected that we reach out for something positive to feel.”
“Yeah, that makes sense and all…but how come you guys are just, best mates? You’re all so close, but it’s just friendship.”
“Well, Alastor being my brother helps there.” Julian chuckled to himself, sipping more tea. Arthur expected him to say more about him and Wedge, but Julian just left it at that. But Arthur wanted more, and remained silent and expectant. Julian raised an eyebrow, and put his cup down.
“There was a time when Wedge and Alastor went down that road, but found it easier to just stay friends. But that was a century or more ago now – time goes by quickly.”

Arthur changed positions on the couch from sitting to laying down on the full length, using the arm rest as a headrest, but still looked at Julian. Long before my time He thought to himself.
“Do you think, Arthur, that maybe it’s because she spends so much time as human?”
“Um, maybe, but I don’t really know. I mean, as I said, I like her mind. Her personality…her heart.”
“You mentioned you always felt that way with women?”
“Yes. Is that odd?”
“No, in fact, I’m very much the same. Most of us are. Not just with women, I mean, but being more attracted to the internal person as opposed to the external. I guess our society had the advantage being that people had two bodies – usually human and other. So we didn’t really focus on physical appearance as much.”
“I wish mine was like that. I mean, when I lived in it. Everything was tied up with appearance.” Arthur said solemnly, looking away and up at the roof. Julian sipped more tea, and looked at him sympathetically. They were very much alike, really. If only they found him a few hundred years ago.

He knew he shouldn’t, but Julian had to ask.
“Are you uncomfortable getting intimate with a woman?”
Arthur was taken aback, but did a quick dart of his eyes around the room to ensure it was just Julian before returning with a whisper.
“Yes, actually. I don’t know why. I just…it just doesn’t feel right. Not just…you know, that…but hugging and snuggling together. They always seem to make it very physical, and flaunt their bodies at me and I always find it very…I don’t know, in your face?”
“What about with your mates?”
“We never –“
“No, I mean, physical contact with them?”

Arthur stopped and thought. He wasn’t exactly comfortable talking about this, but he supposed if it was with anyone, it would be with Julian to talk about such things. And besides, Julian was a doctor and so Arthur had to expect him to want answers to things. But Arthur was starting to have suspicions about what Julian’s thoughts were prompting these questions. And being honest to himself, he was starting to think about it too…for the first time.

“Well, no… it’s not the same though. I’d happily bash about with me mates. Wrestle them to the ground, watch movies on top of them and stuff.”

There was silence for a few minutes as the two sat there thinking. Julian had formulated a theory, one that he didn’t think Arthur had.

“I don’t care that she’s fat.” Arthur suddenly stated, jolting Julian from his reverie.
“Good. None of us do. I’m just wondering why then it bothers you?” Julian asked quietly.
“I’m just annoyed at human society. Since we have to live in it, we have to be aware and involved with people’s opinions and ideals. I just hate it how people automatically put her down for being overweight. They don’t care what’s inside. I saw the looks we used to get at dinner from some, as if we were wrong. The thin ones thought themselves better, and thought I was better, than her.”
“That’s just typical though-”
“No! I mean, she saves their lives over and over again and they treat her badly for having extra adipose tissue? And it’s not that much more, really – she just has a large-set body with strong muscles too. She has the power to give or take their lives and they don’t care beyond their own skins.” Arthur cut Julian off angrily, baring his teeth and snarling into his chest. Julian didn’t care that he was cut off, but just calmly responded to the outburst.
“And why does it matter to you?”
“Because… she doesn’t deserve that.” was all Arthur said, closing his eyes, sounding beaten. Julian really could tell just how much Arthur cared for Wedge.

“I think you should tell her.” Julian stated, finishing his tea and placing the cup back on the table. Arthur just looked at him incredulously, and said nothing.
“I’m serious, Arthur.”
“If she’s so smart, she can work it out.” Arthur said, slightly indignant.
“Come now, that’s not fair. She’s got a lot on her mind now, and even if she had picked up on something she wouldn’t do anything about it. She’d just wait for you first – you know she’s not the type to make anyone uncomfortable by putting something like that on them.”
“Ok, I’ll think about it. But would I just make things more confusing for her?”
“She might say she wants to deal with it later, but she might not. You have to give her the option. But Arthur, before you do, can I have a little chat with you?”
“I thought that’s what we were doing now?” Arthur chuckled, swivelling his body around on the couch.
“Yes, but I meant later. I’d also like to show you something when we get back to Nine.”

Arthur was about to enquire as to what it was, but there was an almighty screech from out in the lab. The roar was deafening, blood-curdling…Arthur leapt up and sprang out into the room along with Julian – who was on all fours this time – to see what it was. They snapped their attention to the confinement room facing the lab, where they saw Skarin. He was screaming all he could, as he hit the glass collapsing. Then all was silent.

Julian bolted towards the Beast, glancing at the monitor before opening the cage. Arthur stood on the other side of the glass, confused. Julian approached cautiously but quickly, and injected him with a vial that Arthur hadn’t even seen him swipe from the desk he was that quick. Suddenly, Arthur knew. The pit of his stomach dropped and he bashed on the glass to get Julian’s attention.

“Get out of there!” he screamed, pleading with Julian. Julian looked up, then back at the body of the Beast, and then nodded. In a flash he was back by Arthur’s side.

“Good pick up, Arty. And who said you weren’t bright?” Julian smiled at him, but then returned focus to the lifeless black form in front of them. They waited. It didn’t occur to call the others…they just waited.

“That isn’t just ordinary glass, right Julian?”

“Of course not. We’re safe.” Julian assured, but then added a quiet ‘I think’ to the end of the sentence. That didn’t help Arthur’s nerves. The pair backed a few steps towards the door, but stared fixedly at Skarin’s body.

“If it was going to happen, would it have happened by now?”  Arthur whispered.

“Yeah, I think you’re right.” Julian whispered back.

Arthur alerted Wedge and Alastor, while Julian went in to take samples of blood.

“Hey Julian, the system has a message from Nine – unauthorised coded transmission detected.”

Julian looked up, syringe in mouth while fidgeting with items in his hands.

“Caaoow Aaarashor” he said, and Arthur nodded. He initiated the call with Alastor, but Wedge answered.

“Yes?”

Arthur was blank for a moment. After his conversation with Julian, Wedge’s voice threw him.

“Err Wedge, hi. So the system here’s saying ‘unauthorised coded transmission detected’, and it’s sourced it at Cambridge. Maybe you could check it out?”

“Well we’re already on our way –ON YOUR RIGHT! – to Cambridge, since in Elm it was just movement to Cambridge that we found –CYCLIST!-  and so headed this way when Nine sent the alert. I’ve remotely accessed it for a pinpointed loc –This one? NO! Next one! –location for us. Gotta go, will call later!”

Arthur just blinked in response to the rushed conversation – it sounded like Alastor was driving and they were in the middle of traffic. Arthur chuckled at the thought of them arguing like a married couple on the freeway. Julian had inserted the samples into the machine, and began his analysis.

“Julian… we need to get the body back to Dartmoor.”

Julian looked up and frowned in desperation.

“I know.” He uttered, looking at Skarin. He rose from the desk and walked to the glass, where he stood just looking through. Turning to Arthur, he said,

“Get your coat. We’re going back to Dartmoor.”

Blackout List

Data Entry

Recorded by: Alastor
Title: 32 Cities black out for 27 minutes

Basingstoke

Birmingham

Bourne

Brentwood

Bridgnorth

Buckingham

Chesterfield

Colchester

Crawley

Derby

Eccleshall

Ettington

Kibworth Harcourt

King's Lynn

Kingswood

Kington

Larkhill

Lincoln

Littleport

Luton

Melton Mowbray

Newport

Newtown

Oundle

Oxford (shire)

Portsmouth

Scunthorpe

St Albans

Swindon

Thetford

Tuxford

Worcester