A child of two worlds, Opal Crystal never really belonged anywhere. Loved by her heartsick mother, and loathed by her stepfather, she lived her life trapped in a tower of ivory and glass. But when said stepfather betrays her, selling her to the government for experimentation, she must find the strength to carry on...even when all seems lost.
CW: This Generation contains themes of medical torture, false imprisonment, PTSD, and terminal illness.
Shock: It is a little unorthodox to be activated this late at night, though. I’ll take it our sample’s not good in cold storage?
Fringe: Not good at all, actually. Biological parentage traces back to a desert planet, so make of that what you will.
Lotus: Desert planet? Not many of those left. Where are we talking about.
Heart: The file said Sixamite, but I’d wager something from the Cassini system. You don’t see those colors without a white dwarf.
Shock: Sixamite? Well, that’ll go over great if it gets out.
Heart: If it gets out, which it won’t. I’m sure I can trust all of you to keep your mouths shut, yes?
Aurora: Yes, ma’am. Of course, ma’am.
Lotus: Yes, yes, NDAs and all that paperwork drivel. Can we see the subject now?
Heart: Take an escort. This one might put up a fight.
-
Aurora: Watcher…she looks like us.
Lotus: Don’t go getting soft on us, Mist. I assure you, she–if you can call it a she–is nothing like us. Now, let’s see how much sedative that brute gave her.
*banging on bars*
Opal: Ah!
Aurora: You are such an asparagus, Swirl.
Lotus: It got it up, didn’t it? Hm..subject showing signs of negative reaction to sedative. Further tests will be needed.
Opal: What…where…where am I…this is…oh no…
Aurora: …this is a–
Lotus: Private, what have you been told about talking to the subjects?
Aurora: …Not to, sir.
Lotus: Oh, good. You actually do have a brain in that skull of yours. Now, bring the subject to the medical room. We’ll begin with baseline tests.
Opal: Tests?
Fringe: Dr. Swirl, could I borrow you for a moment?
Lotus: Of course. Get it out of the cell, Private.
Aurora: …yes, sir.
Opal: Please….please, tell me…where am I? What’s…what’s going on?
Aurora: That’s…complicated. We don’t have a lot of time here. You need to step back from the door.
Opal: Please don’t–don’t–
Aurora: Relax. I’m not going to hurt you–just the opposite, really. I’m here to help you.
Opal: What? That doesn’t make sense! You’re–you’re one of them!
Aurora: Them?
Opal: …the military scientists…they experiment on people like me.
Aurora: You’re not wrong about that, but…I’m not with this lot. It’s…it’s really complicated, and we don’t have the time for me to explain now.
Opal: What, you’re with some other government that wants to cut me open?
Aurora: Yes–no, no! No, nothing like that, it’s–look, I need you to tell me your name. Right now.
Opal: …What?
Aurora: Your name, where you’re from, how old you are–anything you can think of that’ll prove you existed outside of these walls. It’s the only way I can get you out of here.
Opal: I…okay. Okay. My name is Opal Crystal, and I…
Fringe: Well, you certainly took your time. Any trouble, Private?
Aurora: No, sir. Excuse me, sir. Dr. Swirl? The subject.
Lotus: Oh, good. Leave it restrained and put it in the x-ray machine. We have a lot of work to do.
Aurora: That’s one heck of a shiner…you okay?
Opal: Am I okay? Am I okay?! What do you think–no! No, I’m not! *sob* This is a nightmare!
Opal: Ugh *sniff* Yeah. In an apartment with my mother and stepfather…that rat bastard.
Aurora: No love lost there, huh?
Opal: He’s the one who did this to me.
Aurora: What do you…oh. Oh. He’s the one who ratted you out, then?
Opal: He always threatened to if I didn’t follow his stupid rules. I guess I just…finally earned it.
Aurora: Nope, no way, don’t even think that. No one earns this, or deserves it. No one.
Opal: I…guess so. I just…what happens now? What’ll happen to me?
Aurora: They’ll run tests, and experiments, and it’s…it’s gonna suck. A lot, probably.
Opal: Like getting choked out and then punched didn’t suck.
Opal: …I’m going to die in here, aren’t I?
Aurora: Not if I have anything to say about it. You should get some rest while you can. I’ll make some calls and…see what I can get done, I guess.
Opal: Thank you. …What’s your name?
Aurora: Aurora. Call me Ro.
Atlantis: There’s a signal jammer in the base.
Aurora: *gasp* LT, I–
Atlantis: Stow it, private. We both know you’re not actually in the service. Care to tell me why the fudge Sugar Springs would send someone out this way?
Aurora: Sir, I don’t–
Atlantis: Private. ….You’re not the only one not from these parts. The Bay’s not happy, either.
Aurora: …Sir, I can’t compromise any other agents in the field, but I was inserted when this cell showed signs of activation. My mission is to gather evidence of illegal actions, and.
Atlantis: And having a live subject certainly counts! Fudge…let me guess, your handler is Stone?
Aurora: Sir…
Atlantis: Right, right. Well then. We both have our orders, Private Mist.
Atlantis: But you need to be more careful. Private Flame isn’t an insertion. If he’d been the one to catch you out here…
Aurora: I know, sir. Thank you, sir. *earpiece chimes* Dammit!
Atlantis: Back to work, Private. Don’t let me catch you slacking on shift again.
Aurora: Is the lack of clothes really necessary, Doctor?
Lotus: Clothing interferes with the aeration fluid, so yes. It is absolutely necessary. Is that a problem, Private?
Aurora: No, Doctor. Just…curious.
Lotus: Your job isn’t to be curious, Private, it’s to keep the subject in check. Now keep quiet.
Aurora: ….
Lotus: Smart woman. Beginning electrical stimulation.
*machinery goes quiet*
Aurora: –! Sir, the tank–the tank’s not aerating any more.
Lotus: Blast it all…there. Stupid circuit breakers…nothing does what it’s supposed to around here…
*machinery rumbling and buzzing*
Aurora: …
Lotus: Beginning auditory range tests…
*high pitched ringing*
Aurora: Gah–sir, can I ask what the point of this is?
Lotus: What’s the point of any science, Private? Knowledge and learning, of course. This is the first time we’ve ever had a Sixamite to run tests on. Who wouldn’t run a full battery of tests?
Aurora: …Someone with basic decency.
Lotus: What was that?
Aurora: Nothing, sir.
Lotus: I thought so. Well, it doesn’t matter anyway. I’ve got what I needed for today.
Lotus: Take it back to the cell. I have to go through this data.
Aurora: Without clothes, sir?
Lotus: *sigh* Fine. Here–get it into these. I suppose I can have Heart order some gowns for next time.
Aurora: Next time, sir?
Lotus: Of course! We have so many more tests to run before we can dispose of this subject. Years of them, truly. I suspect you’ll be one well promoted private when this is all done.
Aurora: …Maybe so. Excuse me, sir.
Lotus: Yes, yes, dismissed and all that.
Atlantis: Mist–
Aurora: Don’t. This isn’t remotely right, Lt. I don’t care what kind of information we need on these fudgeheads, this isn’t right. No one should be treated like some–some lab rat!
Aurora: Here we go…
Opal: …ngh…Ro..?
Aurora: I’m here. I’m here, starshine.
Opal: …why are you so nice to me? I’m not…
Aurora: Who your parents are, what blood they carry, that doesn’t matter. You’re as much a person as I am, and you deserve the same kindness. I’m just sorry it’s not more…
Opal: …it’s not your fault. Just…stay a while?
Aurora: Of course.
*Opal screaming*
Lotus: Odd…blood coagulates in response to the presence of Phozone…Watcher’s sake, Shock!
Shock: Sorry, sir–that last injection seems to have caused a reaction!
Lotus: I noticed that! Sedate it already!
-
Flame: Lt, Commander Heart asked me to–Watcher, is that the…
Atlantis: That’s the subject. Been doing that for nearly an hour straight now.
Flame: An hour? Watcher…
Lotus: Yes, I’m sure! Shut it up!
-
Flame: Sir, shouldn’t we do something?
Atlantis: Do what, Private? Barge in there and stop them? That won’t make it any easier for the subject. The best we can do is be here and not do anything stupid.
Shock: There…just go to sleep…alright. It’s out.
Aurora: *muffled growling*
Shock: Already spiking a fever, Doctor.
Lotus: Then I suppose we’ll see immune response as well. Just leave it, Shock, it’s irrelevant. Now, come with me–we have so much data to go over!
Lotus: Gentlemen.
Atlantis/Flame: Sir!
-
Flame: …he’s an asparagus.
Atlantis: No disagreement here, Private.
Aurora: Oh, Opal….come here, starshine…I’ve got you.
Opal: …Ro…?
Aurora: Right here. Just hang on.
Atlantis: Mist…
Aurora: I told you this wasn’t right. What would you say if they did this to one of us instead?
Flame: Mist, they wouldn’t–
Aurora: Wouldn’t they? *scoff* Don’t be naive, Flame. We’re all expendable to these people.
Opal: …why are they…
Aurora: Try not to talk. *sigh* I don’t know why they’re doing this, but I’m going to find out. I’m going to get you out, okay? I promise I will.
Opal: …’m scared, Ro…
Aurora: I know…I know. Me too….
Aurora: I’m breaking her out. You two can either help me or get out of the way.
Atlantis: Mist…*sigh* Alright. Alright, you’re right, we have to do something.
Aurora: No shiitake! Where was this four months ago?!
Flame: Both of you, shush! Not here–come on. We need somewhere safer to talk.
Aurora: I’ll be straight with you: I’m not a member of Strudelville’s military. I’m an agent with Sugar Springs, and I came out here to shut this place down.
Atlantis: …Brittle Bay, but same thing.
Flame: …Wow. Secret agents, alien-berry hybrids, military experiments…what next, signal jammers and clandestine rescues?
Aurora: Well…yeah. Pretty much.
Flame: Well then! What’s the problem?
Atlantis: What’s the problem–Watcher help us all. We need evidence of wrong-doing. That’s the subject–
Aurora: Opal. Her name is Opal.
Atlantis: Opal. We have evidence of the Accords being broken with her, but we need to be able to call it in. There’s a signal jammer and we can’t leave the base to make a call, so we’re stuck.
Flame: No we’re not. Well, you’re not, I guess–just cut the power.
Aurora: It can’t be that easy.
Flame: Sure it is. I mean, there’s also the jammer program on the Commander’s laptop, but the power box is on the upper level. That’s probably a lot easier to get to.
Aurora: Perfect! I’ll go cut the power and–
Atlantis: Hold it. We need a proper plan first, Mist, or we’ll all be dead before we can get her out. We take this slow, do you hear me? She’ll just have to hold on.
Some months later…
Opal: *coughing*
Aurora: That’s it…don’t try and stop it…
Opal: ugh…that stuff’s even worse on the way back out…mmph…
Aurora: Have you kept anything down? Even water–Watcher, you’re freezing…
Opal: No, really? *cough* …no. I can’t keep water down, either…
Aurora: Come here…how do you feel about a break-out, Opal?
Opal: …I want to see the sun again, but…Ro, I don’t…*cough* I don’t think I will.
Aurora: Don’t talk like that. I’ll get you the sun, starshine. Just hang on.
Heart: The results coming in are extraordinary…all this in just under eight months? You ought to be proud, Swirl.
Lotus: Oh, very. It’s almost a shame the subject’s entered terminal stages. Imagine what we could get out of it with more time!
Fringe: I can get the ingredients for Ambrosia, if you’d like to extend this little mission. My client would be happy to provide.
Lotus: I’m sure they would. What say you, Commander?
Heart: I say I’d like more of these results, and so would the brass. You’ve got the go ahead, Fringe.
Fringe: Yes, ma’am. I’ll send you the directions as soon as I have them, Dr. Swirl.
Lotus: I’m sure I can figure it out without them.
Aurora: Both of you, up!
Flame: Watcher!
Atlantis: Are you trying to–Mist, what’s wrong?
Aurora: We have to move! Now!
Flame: Are you insane? Move now? We don’t have any back up!
Aurora: I don’t care! Either you help me right now or I do this without you and you both go down!
Flame: You–
Atlantis: Alright, alright! Flame, go–go to the work room and keep Shock busy. I’ll keep the others in Heart’s office. Mist, go cut the power and make that call. Just…be quick, kid.
Fringe: Well, I’m off. I should be back in a few days, so if the subject goes off, just keep it preserved.
Lotus: Oh, don’t you worry about that.
Atlantis: …Crud. Agent Fringe. Headed out, sir?
Fringe: I am. There’s supposed to be a storm tonight, and I’d rather beat it.
Atlantis: Better get moving then. Storms around here tend to go haywire fast.
Fringe: *laugh* Don’t I know it. Have a nice night, Lieutenant.
Atlantis: You too, sir. …Be careful, kid.
Aurora: Here goes nothing…
-
Heart: Hm? Can we help you, Lieutenant?
Atlantis: Commander Phantom Heart, pursuant to Article 51 Section 13 of the Sixam Accords, you and all personnel within this base are under arrest for the harm of a being claiming Sixamite heritage.
Lotus: …can he do that?
Atlantis: I just did, Doctor.
Heart: Shiitake.
*electric thump*
*electric thump*
Fringe: …Well. Someone thinks they’re being clever…
*electric thump*
Opal: Agh….Ro…Ro…’m sorry..*coughing*
*phone beeps*
Aurora: Oh, thank Watcher! Agent A-R-M checking in, Ident-Code 01-18-13 squawking Code Red. Repeat–
Cadence: Aurora! You’ve missed six check-ins! What the hell happened?!
Aurora: Cay, Cay–stop–listen to me! I’ve got a live Sixamite in this base and we need medevac now!
Cadence: Medevac? Aurora, what’s going on? We’re less than twenty minutes away–
Fringe: So, we’ve had a spy and a sympathizer with us this whole time.
Aurora: Oh, shiitake–
Cadence: Aurora! Aurora, answer me!
-
*door crashes*
Aurora: Oof!
Fringe: Did you really think you could get it out of here?! Did you really think no one would notice?!
Fringe: You should never have gotten involved!
Aurora: Get off me!
Fringe: Oof!
Fringe: You’re stubborn, I’ll give you that. But it’s not going to matter soon. You think you can save it?
Aurora: I promised her she’d see the sun again, and I always keep my promises.
Fringe: Always keep my promises? *laugh* Watcher, you’re naive.
Aurora: Maybe. But at least I still have a heart.
Fringe: Wha–
Aurora: And that…is why…you never mess…with a Stone…*cough*
Aurora: Opal! Opal, we need to–no. No no no!
-
Forest: River! Secure that one–the rest of you, on me!
Group: Sir!
Aurora: Opal! Oh, come on–no! Dammit, no!
-
Forest: Bramble, secure that room! Clyde–find Aurora, boy!
Clyde: Woof!
Cadence: Aurora!
Aurora: Back here! Cay, help–she’s not breathing!
Cadence: Dammit–come on, sweetie, come on–
Cadence: Come on…come on!
*electrical buzzing*
Opal: *gasp*
Aurora: Oh, thank Watcher…
Cadence: Her vitals are all over the map. Is there a medical room nearby?
Aurora: Just down the hall!
Some hours later…
Flame: So, you’re all, under arrest or whatever.
River: Or whatever? Dude, how about you let us actually handle this? You know, since we know what we’re doing?
Bramble: Watcher help me…
Atlantis: That’s the long and short of it. We couldn’t have reached you if we’d tried, and we tried.
Forest: Should have expected this. Last thing these groups need is whistleblowers. *sigh* Thanks, for looking out for her.
Atlantis: Sure. This was her first big op, wasn’t it?
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