D.I.C.E(Game Thread/PM to Join)

[DarkRawen]

The door was shut behind him, and Richard headed for the chair. He sat down, trying to keep his cool. He then tidied his hair, before breathing carefully in and out a few times. "Hello, I'm Richard Johnson," he said, sounding smaller than he meant to. For some reason, he felt like looking away from the masked man and his companions, and barely managed to keep his eyes trained on them. Who was the man in the mask actually? The leader of DICE? "You wanted to see me?" Richard asked.

 

[Ruedyn]

"Spellcasters have been fighting alongside the beasts of nature sense the first demons walked the earth. My father was one of these spellcasters. A demonic wizard that would often call on animals to do his bidding as well as demons. He used my mother as his companion in many a battle. But soon, he began to fall in love with her. Later in his years, he took the form of a bear. And lo, did he fornicate with his companion many a night. Until their loins produced that which you see before you"
"Talking about your parents mating habits is... awkward." Kain rubbed the back of his head when Richard walked in, and the door shut.
"So, I assume you want me to move, as I can easily hear through this door?"

 

[Shadowstar38]

"Talking about your parents mating habits is... awkward." Kain rubbed the back of his head when Richard walked in, and the door shut.

"The bashfulness of you humans has always perplexed me. Nevertheless, I shall try to avoid subjects that may be deemed too sensitive.

"So, I assume you want me to move, as I can easily hear through this door?"

"That may be for the best. Come. We shall go elsewhere until the task is done"
_______________________________________________________________________________

"Hello, I'm Richard Johnson. You wanted to see me?"

The man in the mask shuffled some papers around on the desk while the man directly to his left spoke. He was German by the sound of his voice.

"Good morning Mr. Johnson. You are here because, as you know, the head of your division will soon be departing. Therefore, we need someone to fill his place. You've come very highly recommended by the head of Division Zero. Tell me Mister Johnson. What exactly has been your experience in demon matters in your lifetime? Just as a review"

 

[DarkRawen]

"Good morning Mr. Johnson. You are here because, as you know, the head of your division will soon be departing. Therefore, we need someone to fill his place. You've come very highly recommended by the head of Division Zero. Tell me Mister Johnson. What exactly has been your experience in demon matters in your lifetime? Just as a review"

"With... demon matters?" Richard resisted the urge to touch his neck. As always, honesty was the easiest way for him to go, so he thought about it, shortly. What was his experience with demons?

"As you already know from my dossier, I followed the work of DICE for five years before being recruited. I've been both on the field and in the lab. I am familiar with the DNA and biology of almost every sample DICE has, as well as my own samples from before I joined DICE. I know a lot of the attributes of the different genes. From the field, I know how the lesser demons react and act in a battle, as well as their weak points and many of the habits they seem to possess. I know how many of them feed. I know about most of the operations DICE has had in USA the last five years, and the outcomes, as well as how the public reacted to them."

Much of this was information he had discarded in his head long ago as uninteresting, but he still remembered most of the details. Richard smiled, more confident, and added; "While I don't have a lot of experience, I have five years where everything I've done has been related to demons. I've barely slept or eaten without pondering upon and discovering new things about demons, and especially their biology. Does that answer the question?" he tilted his head.

 

[Shadowstar38]

"While I don't have a lot of experience, I have five years where everything I've done has been related to demons. I've barely slept or eaten without pondering upon and discovering new things about demons, and especially their biology. Does that answer the question?"

"Yes. I suppose that answer is sufficient"

The German man turned it over to an American, who asked the next question.

"How do you think you'd fair if you were ever in a leadership situation during combat? Do you believe you'd be able to lead them through whatever conflict you'd be in?"

 

[DarkRawen]

"How do you think you'd fair if you were ever in a leadership situation during combat? Do you believe you'd be able to lead them through whatever conflict you'd be in?"

Richard lifted an eyebrow, a bit surprised by the question. "You ask how I'd do as a leader in battle? Well... that would depend on the conflict, wouldn't it?" Richard had never seen himself as the leader type. Then again, he had never seen himself as the follow behind type either. "I'm used to acting out from my own assumptions and I'm fairly able to read the situation when I have to, taking every single detail into consideration. While I'm not the naturally charismatic type, I do believe that I'd be able get people to listen to me through logic." Was that a lie or the truth? He wasn't sure to be honest, but from his point of view, logic should be enough. If they weren't brainless, which he had found quite a lot soldiers to be. "If logic won't get someone to listen, I'd show them what I mean, one way or another. I would be able to stay calm, and I'm not a fool, I know when quitting is the most useful action one can take. But, as I said, it highly depends. Some situations doesn't need a person as a leader, but as an individual. That's all I can say about that."

 

[Shadowstar38]

"If logic won't get someone to listen, I'd show them what I mean, one way or another. I would be able to stay calm, and I'm not a fool, I know when quitting is the most useful action one can take. But, as I said, it highly depends. Some situations doesn't need a person as a leader, but as an individual. That's all I can say about that."

The American didn't respond. He only jotted something down on a piece of paper and handed it over to the man in the mask; who was still silent and looking through some files as they gave the interview.

The next to speak was a Japanese man.

"Johnson. What is your one most important responsibility you have in this organization?"

 

[DarkRawen]

"Johnson. What is your one most important responsibility you have in this organization?"

Richard didn't even need to think about this one. "DNA sequencing. My most important responsibility is to determine the meaning of the different combinations of the different bases in the DNA, and the genes. Obtaining knowledge is what I do, and that won't change, ever. I hope that is good enough of an answer," Richard said, and adjusted his position in the chair.

 

[Shadowstar38]

"DNA sequencing. My most important responsibility is to determine the meaning of the different combinations of the different bases in the DNA, and the genes. Obtaining knowledge is what I do, and that won't change, ever. I hope that is good enough of an answer,"

The man frowned. He seemed upset at something Richard had said, and whispered something into the masked man's ear. He simply nodded and waved his hand at the final man other than him. Another American.

"You are one of the few scientists we've heard object to the study of live demon test subjects in the lab. Assuming you get this position, are you going to force your subordinates to cease these experiments?"

 

[DarkRawen]

"You are one of the few scientists we've heard object to the study of live demon test subjects in the lab. Assuming you get this position, are you going to force your subordinates to cease these experiments?"

Richard stopped breathing for a few seconds. Would he? Answering no here would be the best, probably. He didn't even know what he would do. From the reaction of the man from before, he was doing quite badly. Was it even worth trying? Of course it was. "Do the lesser demons we have in store have a concept of free will and identity, or are they simply living based on instincts?" he asked. Of course, no one answered. "I don't know, and I doubt you know. I will take a look at it, if I have to decide, and I will find out about it. I don't like having someone's rights chopped off, even if they should be a demon. If I do find out that they have, then yes. I haven't seen a single useful experiment done in the labs that can't be done in the fields, or through other means. If they are as mindless as everyone assumes, then I'll have to rethink my stance on this matter."

Why was he even here again? What a great deal this was, letting him fuck up an interview. It was only a matter of time until they decided he wasn't worth it. Perhaps he should have run away after all.

 

[Shadowstar38]

"I don't know, and I doubt you know. I will take a look at it, if I have to decide, and I will find out about it. I don't like having someone's rights chopped off, even if they should be a demon. If I do find out that they have, then yes. I haven't seen a single useful experiment done in the labs that can't be done in the fields, or through other means. If they are as mindless as everyone assumes, then I'll have to rethink my stance on this matter."

The second American sat back in his seat, contemplating what he heard. He whispered to all the other men around him. After a minute of discussion, they each wrote on a piece of paper and laid in in front of the man with the mask. He sat still, viewing it for all of two minutes. Then he finally looked up at Richard.

He could fully see the details of the mask now. It was fleshy looking, made of some realistic material. The shape of it, was that of a creature screaming out in horror.

"One final question Richard Johnson," He spoke in a very low and gravely voice. It was something that sounded almost sub-human. "You said that collecting and testing DNA was what was most important. But say there was a situation where ending a demon's life destroys the body. Where a demon that understood the concept of freedom had to be kept alive for the data to be collected. Would you still to refuse to allow it to be experimented on? Even if the information could save someone later?

What is really more important? Freedom? Or Knowledge?"

 

[DarkRawen]

"You said that collecting and testing DNA was what was most important. But say there was a situation where ending a demon's life destroys the body. Where a demon that understood the concept of freedom had to be kept alive for the data to be collected. Would you still to refuse to allow it to be experimented on? Even if the information could save someone later?

What is really more important? Freedom? Or Knowledge?"

Richard closed his eyes, not knowing what to say, and needing to think. He felt dizzy, but suddenly, he realized something. The question sounded as if it was between freedom and knowledge. It wasn't. It was between someone else's freedom, and his knowledge, and in this situation, possibly his freedom. It was between what was more important, himself and what he wanted, and someone else's freedom. To banish his feelings and morals, in order to live as he pleased, in order to feed his interest. It was painfully obvious, when put like that, it had been what he had done all his life.

"Knowledge," Richard said, wanting to be somewhere else. He was almost admitting to DICE's methods now, weren't he? Ignoring freedom in order to get what they wanted. Or was this even what they wanted to hear? He didn't know. "The most important thing is knowledge."

 

[Shadowstar38]

"The most important thing is knowledge."

The masked man put his head down again and sat in thought. He leaned over to the first man, the German, again. After a few words of back and forth between the two, the German finally stood up and walked over to Richard until he was directly infront of him, then gazed down into his eyes.

"Would you please stand before me Mister Johnson?"

 

[DarkRawen]

"Would you please stand before me Mister Johnson?"

Richard nodded slowly, stood up, and went over to the man. He really didn't want to do this, but the door was shut, the bear probably outside. Them deciding he was acceptable, was the only way out of it, and he didn't see that happening.

 

[Ruedyn]

Kains' walk with the bear was short, the conversation shorter. He made it back to his barracks once more, hoping for another mission dossier. There was none, and Kains' frown deepend. He decided to take a nap, and perhaps he'd visit the cafeteria later. He laid down, and fell asleep once more.

Spoiler: Dream of Kain.

Morning. Or at least close to it, it was 4 in the morning. The blood on the decks told the spectator it was recently after the attack.
His shot was lucky, a bullet through the nose, but he knew it wasn't dead. Somehow, they all knew. Kain looked over the rail again, perhaps hoping to find the demon, hanging on the ship, trying to climb up and finish the job. At least then there would be some closure.
Of course there was none. He shuddered at the thought of some poor fisherman, or some beach goers finding her and trying to help her as they had. He pushed it out of his mind. He could feel the cold, and went inside.
He found his barracks, people pretending to sleep. He doubted they could after seeing the demon kill their friends, after throwing the carcass, calling it a corpse at that point would sound too sarcastic, overboard into the sea. He walked into the bathroom, and looked at himself. He had no idea he would turn into the pale, scrawny creature he was today, no idea of the months spent in a sterilized white room, with the barest animal intelligence, muzzled like the mongrel he was. No, he was Kevin Fairbairn, private first class and self proclaimed love machine. He had recently gotten a letter from some company that named themselves after some gambling equipment. CHIP or some such, he barely glanced at it. That day he read the letter, and almost threw it away. He didn't though. It made too much sense to him, though he wasn't a practicing catholic he could still believe in demons. Though after the other day, he knew they weren't the Judeo-Christian sort. He'd have to wait till they ported to do anything about this new information. But that was then. Bridges, and the crossing thereof.

Kain woke up, and frowned. He had slept perhaps 20 minutes. He sighed and made his way to the cafeteria.

 

[Shadowstar38]

"The questions we asked you, had neither right, nor wrong answers. But they did give us a small view into the kind of person we would be dealing with. Some of us believe you are unfit for this position"

The man held out his arm, forcing the silver badge Richard once had in his possession into his hand. He looked down at it for a moment.

"However, as you've said, sometimes we men have to listen to the logic. And though we are split in this decision, we have found that it is in this board's best interests to award you with the position of Head of Division 6, with the title of Doctor Richard Johnson"

The man took out a pin and jabbed it into Richard's hand, drawing just enough blood to dot it onto the badge.

"You will take this position effective immediately, and receive all responsiblity that is granted under your title"

The dot of blood soaked into Richard's badge, leaving it a crimson color for a second, before turning back to it's silver hue. The man handed it back to Richard and nodded.

"That will be all Doctor Johnson"

 

[DarkRawen]

"That will be all Doctor Johnson"

"I'm... I'm the boss of D6? How?" Richard almost couldn't stand. How?
The pin had been returned to his hand and he held it firmly within his palm. "Yeah. I'll take my leave now." He turned around automatically, and walked to the door. Wasn't this too much? How could they have chosen him? Him. Richard Johnson. The man who didn't even want to be there. "It has to be because of Voltaire. He must have more influence than I thought." Richard was fairly confident, he never really doubted himself when it came to a lot of things. But he was not someone you would leave in charge of a whole division. Right?

He left the room, silently. Then he opened his hand, and looked at the badge. DICE, was written on it. It was the sign of his responsibilities over D6. Responsibilities he would soon have to break, due to having made a deal with Voltaire.

He felt bad again. Guilt? Richard decided to hide the fact that he was Head of Division 6 for as long as he could still be free from commitments he didn't know if he cared about, and went to the cafeteria to have something, anything, to drink.

 

[Shadowstar38]

The soldiers scrambled out of formation when the "thing" they had captured hit the ground. They shakily aimed their rifles down at the creature as it's chest snapped around the girl within it's cavity.

They tried to form up and surround it, but none wanted to hazard getting in towards the front. They were clearly not prepared for this.

"Tuez-le! Tuez-le maintenant!"

One of the men closed in one the creature, firing his gun wildly it while the others remained back, only looking on.

 

[Ruedyn]

Kain was sitting silently, stirring some soup with his spoon. He wasn't allowed to have meat. They joked it was because it was cliche, but Kain knew better. They didn't want him to go feral. He noticed Richard enter the large area, and decided to approach him.
"Hello, Richard. Still an amnesiac?" Kain asked with a smile, sitting next to him.

 

[DarkRawen]

"Hello, Richard. Still an amnesiac?"

"Huh?" Richard hadn't noticed the guy before he spoke, he had been too busy looking away from the three or so scientists that had heard what the bear said. They probably thought he was grabbing for the position, and had been yelled at for even trying. That was how he wanted it, as long as possible. He had found a seat in the corner, but not yet decided on something to drink. He looked at the man who had placed himself beside him, only remembering him as the friendly neighborhood wolf guy. "Yeah, a bit. I don't remember your name, I'm sorry." He didn't want to talk about what had just happened, though the man had to know a bit since he had talked to the bear before.