|
Post by Gaia on Jan 19, 2020 19:07:54 GMT -8
Vanguard.EXE
Having closed his eyes in preparation for the long haul, Vanguard was roused by the sudden sound of footsteps coming down the hallway. Getting up and moving away from the door, Vanguard turned to face the two guards as it opened in front of him.
Raising an eyebrow, Vanguard ran his eyes over the guards, and realized they were here to collect him for some reason. Tapping his elbow against the wall as his own attempt to communicate with Rosary, Vanguard considered his options before simply stepping out of the room. Holding up his arms, which still lacked hands, Vanguard tried to show that he had no intentions of - more accurately, no means of - causing a fuss.
"Where to, then?"
He knew that the more he cooperated, the less likely he was to be further rattled and attacked for being down here. With any luck, this would present at least a little opportunity for him to learn more about his surroundings, and also formulate a chance of escape. Until then, he would play the role that was given to him, even if that role was as the passive and hopeful prisoner.
|
|
|
Post by Raven8 on Jan 19, 2020 19:37:06 GMT -8
The strange, almost mechanical guards take their place to either side of Vanguard in a similar manner to what they'd done with Genesis and lead him out of the room. They take the same dank, cold hallway to the same dark room. Here, Silverhorn is waiting, looking to Vanguard with an intense stare.
Silverhorn: Aaah, welcome Vanguard.
Silverhorn glances to the guards. Like before, they step away from Vanguard, go back the way that they'd entered, and close off the entrance behind themselves.
Silverhorn: Come, have a seat. We have much to talk about...
Silverhorn laughs under his breath, his tone still slightly menacing at this point.
Silverhorn: My understanding is that you excel in data gathering. As such, I think it's best if we begin this way;
Silverhorn steps into the light a little more, showing his massive form.
Silverhorn: As I've already told you, I'm Silverhorn; the recently appointed warden of this facility. You probably have a number of questions that you'd like to ask, so please; feel free to-
Silverhorn pauses as he sees Vanguard's hands.... or lack there-of. He blinks a few times before he continues.
Silverhorn: ...is that normal? Do you need repairs?
|
|
|
Post by Gaia on Jan 20, 2020 11:30:57 GMT -8
Vanguard.EXE
The long, dank corridor that Vanguard was led down had a number of doors leading off from it, providing ample thought for the large complex they now resided within and just how big it might be. It also rose the question of what exactly was behind those doors: More prison wards? The facilities Silverhorn had warned them were a part of their training regime? Other opportunities to leave the prison behind?
He wasn't given too much time to consider this, as he was brought into a dark room with but one chair in its center. In the back, silhouetted by the shadows, was Silverhorn. Vanguard didn't get to see too much of him from his first introduction, but, he did get to hear him plenty - this man seemed very different from the one that welcomed them earlier, a fact that instantly caught Vanguard's attention. His imposing figure and authoritative voice seemed dulled by the kind words he now spoke.
Taking a seat as directed, he listened to Silverhorn's analysis of his own "specialization," preparing to open up the door for Vanguard to ask questions. Wondering just how much about Vanguard Silverhorn really knew, he kept himself quiet until the behemoth asked his question, noting Vanguard's hands. He looked down at this own lack, where his verniers were letting off a violet glow as they still tried to gather power.
"I do not need repairs, no," Vanguard said plainly, turning his piercing white eyes from his hands back to Silverhorn. He moved his arms and pointedly tried to force his hands into action, knowing the risks it implied, as a purple fire attempted to sputter into existence only to calm down without effect. "My hands are an extension of my weapons systems. Whatever defenses you are using to quell our abilities is both staunching my inner flames and hindering my vision."
|
|
|
Post by Raven8 on Jan 20, 2020 11:40:53 GMT -8
Silverhorn nods a bit, still looking a bit puzzled, but at least less taken aback.
Silverhorn. I see. Well, don't worry; we're going to try to get that whole scenario fixed soon.
Silverhorn regains his composure before he continues.
Silverhorn: Well then. As I was saying; you probably have a number of questions at this point, so please; feel free to ask what you may.
|
|
|
Post by Gaia on Jan 20, 2020 17:31:16 GMT -8
Vanguard.EXE
He narrowed his eyes. He was trying to rectify the fact that they were being suppressed? For what purpose? What kind of pride did it take in one's defenses to believe they could stand against whatever Navi was standing before them without harm? He may have undersold the prison warden; he was either a prideful madman or a true bulwark if he believed he could stand in Vanguard's way at full push.
He decided to keep these thoughts reserved, however, and to take advantage of the time that Silverhorn was giving him. "Nothing that has come before this has been without reason. They move pieces through the shadows trying to line up their own game of chess, and, thus far, they've done a superb job of determining the other players' moves. I'm trying to figure out where this part of the game lines up - removing us from the playing field, but in a place where a pawn can be switched out to release us rather than moving to the checkmate."
The response was as cryptic as it was careful, wondering just how much the warden really knew as opposed to putting everything on the table at once.
|
|
|
Post by Raven8 on Jan 22, 2020 17:53:04 GMT -8
Silverhorn: ...for starters, you're trying too hard to be clever.
Silverhorn breaks the ice with this blunt statement, letting it drop like a ton of bricks as he looks on in silence for a moment. He then waves it off before moving on.
Silverhorn: But doesn't your question circle back to itself? You say that they're moving in the shadows as if that alone is proof of guilt, yet the fact that they actively saved you is only suspicious if you hold onto your initial assumption. Take that away, and the obvious outcome of your observation is that they aren't as bad as you think.
Silverhorn wavs this off as well.
Silverhorn: That said, I'm just a private contractor for Sharo, and am not privy to many things. However, the fact that we're even here talking right now does answer at least part of your question, doesn't it?
Another pause, and then Silverhorn clears his throat.
Silverhorn: Alright, my turn; why are you convinced that the new forces are inherently up to no good? I know that the net as a whole has had a very poor track-record, but what is the root of this belief?
|
|
|
Post by Gaia on Jan 24, 2020 20:06:26 GMT -8
Vanguard.EXE
He was calling Vanguard out for trying too hard at being clever; Vanguard was not trying to be clever, however. This was how Vanguard thought, and it was how he understood scenarios. He also decided to withhold this observation, though, and instead listened to Silverhorn's rebuttal. He takes advantage of the first pause to respond.
"Saved?" Usually, Vanguard wasn't one to divulge information he didn't have to, but, his anger was stoked by his comments. "We were ambushed. An ally ripped right out of our hands and, from what I can understand, turned into something he didn't want to be, and then we were left to fend for ourselves. We are alive because they want us to be, not because they hold compassion or good intentions. My observations are never shortsighted, Silverhorn, and my suspicions are hardly grounded on assumptions."
He held his tongue for the rest of his rebuttal to hear Silverhorn's next statement, and also took that time to center himself. He was allowed his brief moment of outrage, but, he was supposed to be more collected than this. Silverhorn admits that he isn't privy to too many details, so, he was at the very least relieved he did divulge too much into their scenario.
"The fact that you and I are talking simply means that they believe there is something you have to say or can acquire from me in my time here that is worthwhile enough to put me here; or, at the very least, as I noted before, that they weren't quite ready to put us into checkmate."
Then, he began questioning Vanguard's ideals, giving the zealot yet more time to calm his own nerves. He was still a little fragile from his defeat, but, he could not allow that to cloud his judgment. He took a series of careful breaths before looking back up to Silverhorn, and decided to give a simple answer to a simple question:
"Observation. I am convinced of their nefarious intent through information gathered by direct observation."
|
|
|
Post by Raven8 on Jan 25, 2020 11:04:03 GMT -8
Silverhorn nods thoughtfully. He'd hit a nerve along the way, though that generally wasn't his intent. Better to try to mend that before moving forward.
Silverhorn: I think that you may have taken what I said a bit too literally; I just meant that you don't have to think so carefully about your words here and are free to relax a bit more, but I see that I overstepped a bit. Sorry for that, wasn't the intent.
Silverhorn's eyes rise to the ceiling in thought before he continues.
Silverhorn: As for the rest; I'm not extremely privy to what's happening above, but fair enough. But I will note one thing; I'm not here to try to pump you for information, just see if we can meet half-way on some things, maybe just give you a perspective that may have more value than you might think. That said; I fail to see any reason to send you here rather than just end you if they truly are as nefarious as they say.
Another pause before he continues.
Silverhorn: If it makes you feel any better, let me volunteer a bit of information on why you're here, Vanguard. While this place used to be a very brutal prison barracks, as Jin will gladly tell you, I'm here as the face of reform. My only real goals are to try to give you all a new perspective to consider before you're given your freedom again. My current plan of action is to have some talks like this to try to understand where you're all comfortable with before setting you up in something more comfortable than a simple prison cell. Eventually I want to re-instate your full systems and prove that you're capable of showing the restraint and thoughtfulness that you'll need in order to be released again.
Silverhorn looks Vanguard dead in the eyes as he speaks the last sentence.
Silverhorn: So let's continue; I'm sure that you have more questions, so please feel free to ask.
|
|
|
Post by Gaia on Jan 28, 2020 10:46:01 GMT -8
Vanguard.EXE
Vanguard visibly slumped at Silverhorn's words, deflated. There was a crushing sensation at the thought that the only people who had been here were the ones he met: Which would only mean Rosary. He may have misunderstood Vanguard's question, though, and so tried to fix his wording.
"I mean . . . I do not know who all came with us. I'm trying to affirm who did make it, and who . . . possibly did not."
He was trying to see who else among his allies had made it into the prison, and who Rosso and Nero did not find privy to save.
|
|
|
Post by Raven8 on Feb 5, 2020 20:22:30 GMT -8
Silverhorn looks on for a moment, looking to Vanguard's sudden demeanor with a probing expression for a few moments before responding
Silverhorn: The facility was largely cleared out before you all arrived, the only ones currently here are the ones that you've met so far. Not sure if we'll be seeing more as we move forward.
Vanguard had put at least a few of his cards on the table, best to call at this point.
Silverhorn: I take it that someone that you expected to be here is missing? Anyone that I could look into for you?
|
|
|
Post by Gaia on Feb 6, 2020 13:47:40 GMT -8
Vanguard.EXE
Vanguard visibly slumped at Silverhorn's words, deflated. There was a crushing sensation at the thought that the only people who had been here were the ones he met: Which would only mean Rosary. He may have misunderstood Vanguard's question, though, and so tried to fix his wording.
"I mean . . . I do not know who all came with us. I'm trying to affirm who did make it, and who . . . possibly did not."
He was trying to see who else among his allies had made it into the prison, and who Rosso and Nero did not find privy to save.
|
|
|
Post by Raven8 on Feb 12, 2020 10:19:09 GMT -8
Ah, that made a bit more sense. Silverhorn raises one of his huge, metal steam-shovel like hands and opens a window, showing the prison's roster to Vanguard with every Navi that came from the same room as he did.
Silverhorn: This is the full list as of now, hopefully it answers your questions.
Silverhorn glances towards the closed doorway that Vanguard had entered. After a moment it opens back to the main hallway, causing Silverhorn to motion to it.
Silverhorn: Unless you have any more questions, you're free to go now if you like. I'd hoped to speak with all of the prisoners like this in order to help make your stay a bit more focused and less unpleasant. I trust that I wouldn't be wrong to expect you to be able to make the return yourself...?
Similar to Genesis, Silverhorn offers Vanguard the chance to return to his cell unattended, making no move to restrain or guide him along his way.
|
|
|
Post by Gaia on Feb 13, 2020 14:47:14 GMT -8
Vanguard.EXE
He took the list from the warden and sighed in relief as he read Armiger's, Centurion's and Mistair's name on the list. Genesis and Faith had made it in, too, which was a relief of a different kind. Looking up as the door opened up, Vanguard rest his gaze back on Silverhorn, seemingly revitalized by this simple information.
Being offered an opportunity to walk back on his own, Vanguard studied Silverhorn a bit closer, still figuring out what his intentions may be. But, Vanguard could only come to one conclusion. It was a sobering one, and he didn't quite enjoy it. He frowned, stood up from his chair, and made his way across the room. He was just out the door when he turned to respond, at last:
"You're one of the good ones, Silverhorn. I'm sorry that this is the hand that life has handed you. Continue to play it . . . and I fear you'll reflect the deadman you've been dealt."
Without any further words, Vanguard made his way back down the winding corridors, and noticed his empty cell. He didn't walk into it at first, walking past it to peer into the other cells, seeing Genesis and passing him by, and then passing by Faith, as well. He stopped on Mistair's room, glancing for a long time into its window, before walking past, giving Genesis and Faith's room the same treatment, almost as if confirming that everyone he was told made it was really here.
Unsatisfied but at least relieved, Vanguard then made his way back into his cell.
|
|
|
Post by Raven8 on Feb 13, 2020 17:54:13 GMT -8
Like they had before, the guards once again enter the lab and march past the cells, this time stopping where Faith rests. They open her door and motion for her to follow.
|
|
|
Post by Warrior on Feb 13, 2020 18:09:01 GMT -8
#s://i~imgur~com/HMwvYex~png Faith opens her eyes at the sound of the cell door opening. Looks like it was her turn to "find her breaking" point, as Silverhorn had proclaimed hours earlier. She nonchalantly remove Centurion's crest so that he wouldn't get roped in on this and left the spear behind in the corner of the room where it rested.
" Well, lead the way I guess. "
If nothing else, she felt mentally prepared for a slog ahead at least.
|
|