meadowlarklogs | EVENT 007.1

Entry tags:

EVENT 007.1

WHO: Daisy Johnson, Caroline Forbes, Hope Mikaelson, Klaus Mikaelson, Gabriel Reyes, Jack Morrison, Cassius and Doctor Grey.
WHERE: ?
WHEN: February 18th – February 20th
WHAT: After asking Cassius to remove their neural implants, Cassius makes good on his deal.
NOTES OR WARNINGS: Body horror, psychological horror, physical trauma, mental trauma, surgery, loss of autonomy, coercion, and needles.

And uh, a fun brain ditties site we found.

> EVENT 007.1

Cassius sends out a location pin on the morning of February 18th, different for everyone who requested it. A black hover car with tinted windows pulls up to each, no driver at the helm, and sits expectedly until they let themselves in. In one car is Daisy, in another Caroline, Hope and Klaus, and lastly Gabriel and Jack. Any questions spoken aloud will not be answered, and the car will begin to hover before turning down the next available corner. The locks click, and suddenly it becomes difficult to stay awake. Limbs become heavy, and eyelids slowly begin to fall. For those that struggle to see their last waking moment before they drift off into slumber, they'll notice that the self-driving car has been circling the last mile over, and over, and over again.

When they awaken, there is an antiseptic smell in the air: fluorescent lights glare overhead in a facility that looks like it was made for an entirely different kind of experimental function. What the facility was used for previously isn't apparent, but its current purpose has been reimagined. If they look down at their arm, there is an IV feeding into it. They'll have the sense that they haven't been operated on, not yet. The source of the IV itself leads somewhere unknown. If they go to remove the IV, they'll hear a bark of caution from a speaker. "Tsk tsk! I wouldn't do that if I were you. Gassing you—it was so sloppy. But I'm prepared, oh yes I am, to do what must be done."

After a few more silent minutes, a projection pops up for all of the captive Displaced. "Hello, hello, hello! Welcome to my facility my fine patients. I'm Johann Grey, and you can call me Doctor Grey. First off, let's allow gratitude be given where it's due! Thank you for being so willing to invite my fine friend Cassius into your lives—and thus, me by association. The last specimen I had were … less experienced—less durable. Less familiar with what they've been given. But from what I understand, you have been around for a while. Let's see what we discover together, shall we?"

If there is room for alarm, Johann doesn't grant them much chance to respond to it. Whether they have the IV in their arm or they've removed it and have all but asked to be gassed once again, they'll slowly begin to feel the same wave of fatigue hit them.

As for anyone left behind or hopeful they may be able to trace the paths of the lost Displaced, they'll come up empty handed. El's unable to access the security feed once the hover limos set off for their final destinations, making zer blind to Cassius' actions. Any trackers (such as Daisy's engagement ring) can be traced to a location: a limo rental lot, where the limo has been parked and left for several hours.

DAISY
CAROLINE
HOPE & KLAUS
GABRIEL
JACK

> OOC NOTES

Hello and welcome to the Brain Surgery Club! If anything from our write ups doesn't suit what you'd like, please contact us on your thread on the Permissions Post so that we can make any necessary revisions. We want this to be fun for you. Some of your requests will be worked into the thread later on, but if you would like to have it there from the start, let us know.

All characters will be told that due to the number of surgeries, there will be a three day period before they're allowed to go free. Some of the reasons cited will be "need for care and recovery" and "the number of people going under the needle in contrast to the number of personnel involved." If anyone does any research before they get drugged, this will check out!

If someone sends a message to their currently missing friend, it will just show up as an unread message during this time (if they have those notifications turned on). They'll be synced up with their usual network presence afterward (unless they request a different outcome, such as a new identity).

We're assuming that all characters will want to have a neural implant reimplanted at the end of this process as they will otherwise be disconnected from the world, and our hope is to have them released on time for the Arrival Log! If your character is happy to sit locked up in a room cut off from the world, they may be able to be rescued from their unfortunate situation once some of the others are released back into the "wild."

Anyone who has their characters try to chase this lead will find that Cassius and Doctor Grey prepared for such a likelihood. Any trackers placed on them will be left in the limo to be found, with no other signs or residue of their presence.

As a final note: we give blanket permission for harming or killing Doctor Grey! There will be opportunities for that within these threads.

> NAVIGATION

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

"Hope," he answers instinctively, as he hears her call out to him, even a room away behind the glass. His energy isn't returning to him. Whatever is in Hope's IV must be in his. Perhaps, he was given a stronger dose. He keeps to what he knows. Hope is in that chair, and whomever is with her is taking a sadistic pleasure in performing the procedure while she's a) awake and b) in front of her father. Everything is unacceptable and Klaus can all ready picture himself ripping into his throat.

Klaus doesn't feel anything at first, no sensation of pressure. But, from the conversation he had with Clarke he half expects what's going to happen. Johann said as much. A reaction between the two of them.

With how bloody Hope had been in the hotel, it's only natural she'd been injured too. Injuries heal, but they also sustain. Could his power be tied to his daughter's pain? If so, then their powers are more than metaphorical, they're literal torture.

"Hope, stay calm," he says underneath his breath, knowing only she can hear him. "We will get out of here and we will drag this man's entrails behind us as we escape our shackles. It's going to hurt, but you're a Mikaelson. Don't give him any more pleasure than he's all ready getting from this sick voyeuristic show." His words are slow, but deliberate, as his eyes search around him, search for corner camera where Cassius must be watching from. He tries his arm again, tries with all his might to move one limb.

This would hardly be Jack's first time on an exam table, and not even his first time on an exam table for something experimental. Granted, this surgery should actually be fairly routine, based on what he's learned about this world.

The doctor calls him Mr. Miller, and that is a strange sort of comfort. Even if he's been gassed and put under the knife (which, again, he did sign up for to some extent), his identity hasn't been completely compromised. His real last name is something he can still hold close to the chest.

"Decent, for being in the middle of brain surgery," he responds. His voice doesn't have the usual cutting quality to it, softened out by the sedatives. "You were... talking to Cassius, weren't you? Earlier." He wants to crane his head around to see if he can make out any of the doctor's features, but he resists the urge.

[ this guy and his stupid questions.

she practically growls out the answer, unable to resist: ] I want to eat.

[ she wants to get out of this room, too. but she's too weak to yank the door off the hinges, and what speed she's capable of isn't fast enough to trick the damn thing into opening, so she's... stuck here. with this weird, weird man, and his horrible questions, and the damning fact that she's so hungry all she can think of. ]

Let me out!

Johann is casually enough that it is routine. The removal part really is a little different, but neural implants themselves are common. Jack can feel him close, even if he can't see him. There's a sense of another person around him.

"Oh yes—Cassius is here too with us. Perhaps I forgot to mention that little tidbit." Jack can hear the chair roll again, and some metal hit metal. Johann is examining a few tools that are at his disposal, muttering along the lines of each one.

"He's taking your vitals so you don't nap on the job."

That's what I thought. Unfortunately there's no where to go, and no food available.

[ Though that may not be entirely true at this point. ]

Though the whole process is indeed interesting. I'll make sure to get all of it—yes, most definitely all of it.

[ Johann doesn't make any move to leave, even as his eyes follow her. ]

[ it's infuriating.

but she's trying. she's trying with every fiber of her being to cling to that humanity she's worked so hard to keep, trying to resist the urge to bite and bleed and drain. if he lets her out, if she can go home —

— but why if? wasn't that why caroline came here, why she wanted to come with hope in the first place? to gain back control, to get back what was hers.

to compel, the way she is meant to. the gift that balances out the curse of her existence. ]

Let me out.

[ sadly, it won't work, but there's something to be said for the firmness in her voice all the same, the way that golden glow shrinks and expands. as if it should, if it wasn't for that blue spilling out from her chest in the attempt. ]

It's definitely a stronger dose. Johann had wondered if he needed it, but it's best to stay safe, isn't it?

"You better make sure that's all post surgery, of course. You wouldn't want to interrupt this delicate process—no no no." There's no concern in his voice, despite Klaus' voiced threats. Johann seems to be taking the whole thing in stride, because he's still conducting brain surgery, after all.

There's a few cameras, but they're not apparent on position for Klaus to pick out.

The pain comes to Hope quick, grinding, and with a crack. The rush after that is easier, but the analgesics are slow to kick in.

"Though if you overcome your restraints, you're free to my entrails."

The sound is almost worse than the actual pain, a grinding followed by a crack that she knows she should hear, and yet it resounds between her ears all the same. The lines at the corners of her eyes deepen as she squeezes her eyes as tight as they'll go, a low, pathetic sound halted in the back of her throat, barely audible. The pain hits a moment later, sharp and burning all at once, and when it starts to slowly dull it's still a rushing ache.

She knows pain well, though. She's felt all the bones in her body shatter during her shift into the wolf. It was easier if she just accepted it, instead of fighting it, so that's what she tries to do.

It doesn't work the same, though. Accepting it won't make this go faster. It'll just delay her submission to finding it unbearable.

Instinctively, her hands try to form fists, as she wants to feel the bite of her nails into her palms. If she could just make her fingers move, surely that would help...

He wants to argue that he still doesn't know who Judas is or what they're for, or if Cassius is even satisfied with the outcome of their raid on the UNA facility, but he's still foggy. Probably the only reason why they're even having this conversation--Gabriel isn't in his right mind and can't make sound decisions. All the better for Johann to get what he wants.

"I'll also have UNA programming in my head." Which, if Johann hasn't guessed, is something Gabriel is extremely opposed to. "What do you get out of it?"

There has to be a reason why this is happening. Why Johann is offering this to him.

Johann reminds Klaus that he hasn't yet started Hope's brain surgery, that Klaus has been finished with, but Hope still needs her neural implant removed. His instincts are to break free, stop him and fight. But, Hope is in danger, and under the knife of a deranged psychopath trying to influence their "connection."

Klaus doesn't deign to give him a reaction, to reply to this miscreant. Instead, he tries focusing on Hope, wanting to shut his eyes but knowing he needs to watch. He needs to be there if anything happens, if the IV gives out, or if he makes any attempts on Hope's life.

The crack echoes in Klaus' brain, between his ears. His chest plate begins to glow, bathing him in that blue light as the familiar feeling of pain sets in, like a dull roar, an ache of a tooth but not concentrated in any one part of his body. His lips part, teeth gnash as he too fights reacting. This is it, this is his power. Feeling his daughter's pain. But not being able to do anything about it. Clarke is right. They're metaphorical. But, his is useless. If all he can do is lay, strapped there and watch as this peon drills into his daughter's brain.

"If anything happens to her," he threatens. It doesn't seem to matter at what volume he speaks. Johann hears him.

[ no, she hates it, thanks. she doesn't bother to hide the eye roll that comes from his question. ]

So what's the plan here, doc? You check my vitals, make sure an earthquake isn't going to blow up my heart or a neighboring block, send me loose with a 'ship back to sender' address? Because I'll be honest, your little pick-up job was a little bit on the shady side.

"Nothing will happen to her." It comes out crystal clear in voice, Johann miraculously being able to preform something delicate while still speaking. "She requested these services. It's her reward." For a job well done is what's supposed to come next.

The procedure is delicate, but Johann seems to engage with it flawlessly. While neural implants are installed, they're not very often removed. There aren't many that know how to do it.

The rest is discomfort rather than outright pain. There's still the residual sharpness of the scalp, but a more dulled pain. If it's anything, it's the anticipation that's the worst.

With an outward motion of his hand, Johann gestures to the room around them.

"Dear sir, I am a humble scientist. There are things in this world that I still don't understand, and you are one of them. Why cover you in chains when what I really want is to see what you can do on your own accord? There is a fine difference between UNA programming and Judas' programming. That is the irony. I love irony."

There's a little shrug.

"The lack of a neural implant hinders your freedom, even if it was your choice to remove it. I offer you freedom and a different choice."

Oh, no no no. Sorry that just won't do. You can't leave, not yet.

[ There are still things to do. Vitals to take. The result of her transformation was fascinating. ]

There's still so much to accomplish.

[ He's examining her again, watching her eyes and the blue glow. ]

You are the ones who broke into the UNA, and I've been watching you long enough. I had to take extra precautions. I doubt you'd be so reckless dealing with me.

[ His voice comes through, matter-of-fact. ]

So no, no, it's nothing so selfless. Though I will say that how long you want to stay is your choice. I'll install your neural implant again when you're satisfied.

"What's the connection between you two?" he asks, the words coming out slow and thick, yet clear enough.

Leave it to Jack to attempt to gather information even while in the middle of surgery. Gabriel would do the same thing, and a cold weight settles in his stomach when he realizes that he has no idea what happened to him. Has Gabriel been operated on already? Or is he unconscious somewhere, waiting for his turn? They'll have to find each other later, somehow. Even though Jack has no idea what will follow the procedure.

Never one to nap on the job, Jack remains as aware as he can, memorizing every detail around him with the senses he still has at his disposal. Smells, sounds -- anything might eventually present a clue.

"It's all very generous of you."

But forgive Gabriel if he doesn't think he can take someone like this at his word. If Dr. Grey is willing to perform what amounts to human experimentation, who knows what else he's up to?

Luckily (??) Gabriel is not exactly a stranger to letting people use him as a science project. It makes him more receptive to the offer, even if he's not really showing it.

"So, the original implant for ID purposes, and the UNA implant for superpowers. Is that what you're saying?"

She wants to tell them both to just shut up, that surely this will be over with faster if no one speaks and the surgeon can just do what he needs to do and close her head back up. The very idea that the contents of her skull are literally on display while she lays here unmoving is disturbing at best and traumatizing at worst.

The situation is far worse than the physical discomfort.

She keeps her eyes closed the entire time, trying to block out sound through sheer force of will, listen to the sound of her breath as it enters her lungs through her nose, feel the whoosh as she exhales through her parted lips.

The pain lessens into an uncomfortable ache, a sense of pressure that, the more the procedure goes on starts to concentrate in his mind. Literally. He supposes, if this is his power, then the more he uses it the more he can hone it. Setting aside use, there's a leap here, to remember. At first, he felt pain in general. Sheer agonizing pain. Pain that couldn't be isolated or concentrated in one area.

Here, now, the building, distracting pressure, it's in his brain and precisely the part of the brain Hope's procedure is taking place.

If only one good thing could come from this torture, then in theory the next time someone happens to Hope, he'll know. Just where she's shot. Or stabbed. He shuts his eyes because the last thing he needs to think about is Hope being injured.

This is all an experiment to this man, and to Cassius. A sadistic one, but with an outcome they both want. There's no reason not to cooperate now, and kill after. So he lets out a shaky breath he doesn't need to be taking and concentrates on his daughter's heart beat, trying to calm his own in the process. There will be a reckoning, but not while his instruments are inside Hope's head.

[ she's reckless with everybody, it's her thing. ]

And if I say I'm satisfied, you'll fix me up and send me out of here? Because I have things I could get back to, now that you mention it.

[ pause. ]

The ones? Who else is here?

"What you would call superpowers, I suppose, including UNA level clearance," which included many locations that the UNA would have automatic access without question, "and a variety of other fun tidbits that I'm certain that you'd find useful. It doesn't just stop at superpowers—you'll have some level of freedom, a sort of anonymity."

And then he waves his hand around a bit toward the implant on the table.

"Of course, no one will suspect it. This kind of surgery wouldn't be done without alerting anyone who'd want to squash it, but you've come to the right place."

[ Now there's amusement coming from the intercom. ]

Though you weren't the only one with a like request from Cassius. I'm not inclined to tell you who. Privacy reasons, of course, I am a doctor.

[ Probably? ]

[ that's an annoying side-step if she ever heard one. ]

You avoided my first question, doctor.

[ no.

it comes out soft at first, barely a whisper on an exhale. no. she came here because of a promise. because hope was getting her magic back, because this was supposed to help them, because they'd been denied for so long — and now she didn't have hair or blood or anything and she still can't compel??!!! ]

No!

[ oh, she hates him. she hates him so much. she hates that he cut all her hair off, that he made her feel weak, that he trapped her here away from hope and klaus when they could have protected each other... she hates him enough that she doesn't hesitate, this time, to lunge forward, to grab onto his shoulders and shove him against the wall, teeth bared and eyes dark around that ever-present glow, veins webbing on her face. ]

Fix me!

[ or feed her. or be food. ]

Gabriel doesn’t answer right away, perhaps indicating that Johann has found the magic words. It’s a long moment before he speaks again, like he’s just spent the last few seconds weighing his options. He’s always been a high-risk, high-reward type-person—that much is evident, or he wouldn’t be here in the first place.

“If you’re lying to me, I’m coming back here to kill you.”

He imagines, however, that Johann gets that a lot.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 2 of 5

EVENT 007.1

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject