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[Synik]

Sometime after the ride in the lift...

Life after the syndrome is quiet. Gentle, but in a good way. You have time to reflect on what happened, adjust to what happened to that slime who double crossed you and maybe, make plans for the future.

Nae was good to his word and he's already worked some biosculpting magic on you. The SnakeBite glands have already gone in and you tried them out on an orange - a tip passed on from Cass. She seems to be settling in well. Hayden's not been around so much and Fi, well, the last time you saw the trix, s/he was climbing into one of those healant tanks. A new skin and new hair aren't a 10 minute patch job.

As you sip your coffee in a guest room, you catch site of the bruising around your new nose and eyes. Eve says it'll settle down a little and will fade to nothing after a spell in the tank. Much as the idea of being held under military grade healing nano doesn't fill you with delight, if you're going to get your spine rejigged, it's the only way.

Someone knocks on the door. "May I come in?" It's Eve's voice. No doubt come to check on the prep work before you go and visit the metal man himself.

[Early Bird]

"Sure, come in" replied Ophelia. She placed her cup down on the table. Real coffee, something she hadn't thought she'd experience again. In fact all the food here was the best quality, Nae must have some good contacts. "How's Sally? Any chance of seeing her?" she asked. She'd been told that the number syndrome victims were all recovering, but it would be good to see for herself. "So what can I do for you?" she asked with a trace of her old corporate manner.

[Synik]

"Thanks," Eve answered and stepped into the room. Drawing up a chair, she rested her walking cane against the table. "Sally's doing fine and will be up in a few days. You're welcome to go and see her any time you like." Eve takes a small electronic diary from her lab coat pocket. "I've come to ask you about the surgery. Nae and I have a window today if you still want the super-spine work."

[Early Bird]

"The prospect of spending all that time in the tank, military grade or not isn't appealing I have to say" said Ophelia. "But that will be so useful to me I think I can live with it. Have I got time to visit Sally first or do you need me right away?" Eve had promised that a spell in the tank would help with the healing of her facial work. At least when she came out she hopefully would no longer look like she got on the wrong side of a meatboy.

[Synik]

Eve smiled. "I can understand that. They're not exactly the most fun places are they." She laid the e-diary on her knee. "Sally's doing well, but she tires very easily. It might be best to get your work out of the way and then go see her." Eve clipped the little organiser shut. "It's your choice, Ophelia. Always."

[Early Bird]

"I'll be guided by you on this I think" said Ophelia. "I wouldn't want to jeopardise her recovery, but if you have a digital pad or even a sheet of paper, I'll send her a note to say I'm thinking of her and will be in to see her soon. I'd hate her to think I'm not bothered about her now after all we've been through together".

[Synik]

Eve shook her head a little, her dark hair twisting in the motion. "She'll be okay. Just give her a few more days and I think she'll be fully with us. You could see her then if you like?"

She turned the e-diary around and opened it up so it looked like a small book. The screen was a muted white like the fine paper you used to have in the office. Eve handed you a stylus. "Write what you need to and I'll make sure that only she sees it."

Getting to her feet, she collected her plain walking stick. You would have thought Nae would have offered to fix her leg. You wonder why he hasn't. "I'll leave you to write what you need to," Eve says. "I'll be in the room opposite when you're ready."

OOC

I don't want to drag this last section out, but equally I don't want to cut you short. There's a couple of ways to play this out, deal with the implants and see Sally. Or, deal with the implants and I'll hand out the skill improvements. That'll leave the Sally conversation for the return game - if you're interested.

[Early Bird]

OOC

No prob. That's why I thought to send a note for now, then we can get on with the important bits

Ophelia sucked the stylus for a minute. What should she write? There was so much she wanted to say but she had to make it brief. In the end she had to make do with wishing Sally a good recovery, that she was having some work done and she would see her afterwards. She signed the note "Always your friend, Anna". Sally would be sure to recognise her handwriting, but she wanted a personal touch to what was essentially a rather impersonal message.

Closing the e-diary Ophelia left the room and went into the room opposite. Handing the e-diary back to Eve she said. "Here. It's not much but I hope it at least lets her know that I'm thinking of her". Ophelia paused, gazing at Eve thoughtfully. "I don't want to get too personal Eve, but I have to ask. Why do you use that stick? I would have thought with all the tech available here that Nae would have done something for you if there's a problem with your leg". Eve's lameness was something very personal to Ophelia whose stock in trade was her agility. She couldn't begin to imagine what her life would be if she didn't have full mobility, she would be unable to perform her job and would maybe have to resort to Cass's former profession to survive. Ophelia grimaced privately. She had no dislike of sex itself, she supposed she could do that, but her brief acquaintance with Cass had shown her that it wasn't always the most pleasant of careers.

[Synik]

"Thank you." Eve took the e-diary and slid it into one of her pockets. "I think it's the thought that counts. Anyways, you'll be able to see her when you get out." Eve gestured to a womb-tank that lay open like a complex metal orchid. The central couch was reclined, but tipped forward to allow you easy access.

"My stick? Oh, this? I injured my leg." A complex expression passes over Eve's face, her tone seems fluttery. "It was... a long time ago." A smile pushes the dark look away. "I guess I could get it fixed, but I don't do a lot of walking and it doesn't hurt me. A way to keep the memories I suppose."

Her expression brightening, Eve rests her cane against the table. "If you could remove your clothes and lay in the unit, we can begin. Superspine, rib tweak and a snakebite mod yes? You'll do fine. The nano in this tank is top grade. We'll have you up and walking about in no time."

[Early Bird]

"I thought the snakebite was all done, is there more work needed on it?" asked Ophelia a bit more sharply than she had intended, the pre op nerves were getting to her. She supposed she could understand Eve's explanation for not getting her leg perfected although she could not have tolerated it herself, but she supposed that was one of the essential differences that made them all human.

"Sorry" Ophelia backtracked. "I'm just getting a bit twitchy I guess, I never did like these things. You will make sure Sally knows I haven't deserted her won't you?" she said as she removed her clothes and settled herself in the tank.

Edited by Early Bird, 21 July 2010 - 11:05 PM.

[Synik]

Eve seemed to flinch a little at Ophelia's sudden remark, but her professionalism didn't crack. "You're right. My apologies. It's on my list." Eve drew a finger through the item. "Please, just lie back. I'll let Sally know."

As you climb into the tank, you feel a cold dab against your neck. As the nerve shunt takes over, you feel warm and detached. Memories of the last time you were in such a tank, come flooding back. Sally was there for you then and there's a slight pang of guilt that she may be waiting again when you come out. Too late now, sleep takes you away. On the edge of consciousness, you feel pipes and feeds caress your body as the unit prepares to close and then open you up.

A moment later you wake up. Your skin is damp with medical fluid and you need a drink. Coffee ideally. Did you sleep in too long? No, you're laid out in the womb-tank chair. Your eyes adjust to the light and you open them. All appears to be well with your body. There are no obvious scars or marks - not that you expected to see any. A quick probe with your tongue reveals new teeth and the recessed tips of the snake-bite. You give a little twist of your back and all feels well - no, not well but better. You feel more supple and despite the tiredness, ready to face the world.

The tank's bed starts to tip upwards and there are two people waiting to see you. Nae and Sally. She looks good. A little dark around the eyes maybe, but well in herself. Your friend smiles across to you. "This is getting to be a bad habit," she jokes and the smile widens. "Welcome back, Anna."

[Early Bird]

"Hey Sally, how are you doing?". Ophelia smiled with pleasure to see her friend and raised her hand weakly. Everything felt fine but she remembered from the last time that she would be a bit unsteady until she go used to the changes. "I'm so sorry I couldn't come and see you before I went in here but they said you were recovering and would tire too easily, but I'm so pleased to see you here now, let's hope this is the last time eh? I don't know how much you've heard about what happened, but at least Hopton's gone, he'll never bother us again". Ophelia's voice was dry and raspy. "Any chance of a drink?" she asked hopefully. "Coffee if you have it".

[Synik]

"You don't change," Sally answered sweetly and walked over to the lip of the tank. She offered you a drinks bulb, grasping it, you found it warm and loaded with coffee. Sally reached in and touched your arm. "Don't worry about being out of it. I was too, but we're both back now. Hopton's gone you say?" Sally's face looked both sad and happy at the same time. "No more looking over our shoulders then, Anna." She grew more positive and added: "I can't believe how different you look. If Nae hadn't said, I don't think I would have recognised you."

In the pause, Nae shifted his arms, the smaller elements closing into the larger ones. "I will leave you two to catch up," the cybernetic monster stated. "Ophelia, you are fully healed, but don't rush into any tumbles just yet. Let yourself get used to the implants." With that, Nae turned on metal feet and pad quietly out of the room.

[Early Bird]

"He's right, I'll have to see if they have a gym or something here so I can test the limitations in a controlled way" said Ophelia. Not given to demonstrations of affection as a rule, it was different with her long term friend. Ophelia gave Sally a hug. "Yes he's gone. I'm not sure who finally killed him but we all had a hand in it. He was behind the number syndrome you know Sally. He had a fake.. I don't know.. image of himself and the Old Man, but a much younger Old Man. It seemed he was going to use that as a figurehead and take over completely behind the scenes, I'm pleased we stopped him". Ophelia felt over her face gently but it wasn't much help. "You know, I haven't seen it since it healed completely" she said softly. "Different in a good way I hope, do you have a mirror handy?" Ophelia was now burning to see what changes had been wrought. She had been happy with the way she looked before, attractive but relatively nondescript. Able to blend in with a crowd and not be too easily noticed. "No there's no more looking over our shoulders Sally, at least I hope not" she said finally coming to her friend's remaining point. "It means I don't need you to keep your ear to the ground and warn me if anyone's looking for me, but.. I hope it doesn't mean we'll lose touch. You'll always be my friend and I'll never forget what you did for me and how you saved my life. I hope we can still meet up and enjoy each other's company without having to worry about who's watching".

[Synik]

Returning the hug, Sally listened carefully to your words; nodding at all the right places. "Is that was it was for? The Syndrome was just so they could be - umm - young again? Sick b*stards." Sally rarely swore, making the language highly out of place. "But they're gone now." She leant forward and hugged you again. "Of course we'll stay in touch. I think we can drop the secret emails now that Hopton's long gone. I wonder who'll fill his shoes?" She waved a hand dismissively. "Who cares." Sally looked around and added: "Is there a mirror in your room? Because I can't see one here. Are you up for walking? Would you like me to pass you some clothes? There's a gown by the door."