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night nine - kill log
Who: Killers and Elizabeth
When: The ninth night
Where: The operating theatre
[ No matter what you may have been doing, the deep sleep of the enforced curfew will eventually overtake you at 2AM. It's not clear just how much time has passed, but when you wake, you're certainly not in your room. You're in a room that you've never seen from the other side, and the drowsiness of whatever keeps you asleep is still making you sluggish as it fades away. The only thing familiar here is that about half a landing up, you'll see an overhead door that might be familiar.
However, this might not be as important as how Judy's voice suddenly speaks up. ]
All of the arrangements have been made, and databanks are recording. You may begin, science team. You'll find your requested tool next to the subject.
[ A tool? If you look around for what that might mean, it might be obvious.
On a surgical tray right next to you, you'll see a pistol. ]
When: The ninth night
Where: The operating theatre
[ No matter what you may have been doing, the deep sleep of the enforced curfew will eventually overtake you at 2AM. It's not clear just how much time has passed, but when you wake, you're certainly not in your room. You're in a room that you've never seen from the other side, and the drowsiness of whatever keeps you asleep is still making you sluggish as it fades away. The only thing familiar here is that about half a landing up, you'll see an overhead door that might be familiar.
However, this might not be as important as how Judy's voice suddenly speaks up. ]
All of the arrangements have been made, and databanks are recording. You may begin, science team. You'll find your requested tool next to the subject.
[ A tool? If you look around for what that might mean, it might be obvious.
On a surgical tray right next to you, you'll see a pistol. ]
no subject
Databanks.
Recording.
Subject.
She feels her blood run cold as her eyes part and she focuses on where she's at. That realization makes her heart sink.
Right... it always ends this way, doesn't it...? ]
no subject
all he can take solace in is his cigarette, smoking it as slow as possible as she enjoys her last few moments of slumber. he is in no rush to wake her.
when she comes to naturally, he gives her as long as she needs to absorb her surrounding. to realize what is happening without having someone tell her. it wouldn't take Elizabeth long, knowing how quickly she's picked up on everything else. a puff of smoke rises to the ceiling before he breathes in a sharp inhale of air. he is just a short distance away from her, right next to the tray that held the gun. ]
Hey. Sorry to wake you. I know it's shitty to have this keep happening day after day for you.
no subject
No, she thinks there is.
Judy's voice wasn't the wake up she wanted or deserved. Elizabeth's wounded at this point, not daring to move and it makes it so easy to just lay her head back once more.
She smells the smoke before she hears his voice and when she finally catches him, there's nothing but disappointment in her eyes. Her eyes are half-lidded, the heaviness of sleep calling her like a long-lost friend, ushering her to just give in. ]
Bi- ...Bigb -
[ It's hard to pinpoint her tone, but as mentioned, her eyes give it away. Elizabeth tries to awaken, but lays her head back with a soft thud. ]
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he just stares at her as she attempts to gather the energy to wake up. it fails when her head falls back down. with a long sigh, he contemplates how to go about this, taking another drag of his cigarette. the pistol is taken not two seconds later, stuffed into the waistband of his pants with his arms scooping her frame up and into his arms. his shoulder wound causes him to wince, but he ignores it as he always does. ]
Judy, I'm moving her to the third floor. We're finishing the assessment there.
[ the rest of the scientists may not like the change in scenery, but he doesn't care. his arms tighten around her to ensure she doesn't start kicking and stirring. last thing he wants is for Elizabeth to role out of his grip and fall face first onto the floor.
Bigby takes them out of the operating theater, and the long walk up the flight of stairs to the last floor available in the Complex begins. hope you're comfortable, missy. ]
Just relax for me. It'll be over with soon.
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It is my duty to inform you that this is against regulations, Bigby.
[ But she doesn't sound terribly interested in enforcing it, even by her monotone. And though Bigby isn't likely to know or notice, the rest of the scientists will be locked in their lab for a little while. Nothing stops him from proceeding there, at least. ]
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She's not able to grasp everything and she'll protest with a whimper - a plead as he touches her, scooping her limp body up into his arms. There's so many questions, so much anger... and yet she doesn't have the energy to. Her side is pained, even if it's not Bigby's fault... her mind lulling between states of alertness. ]
Why..?
[ There's too many questions this could apply to, honestly. But, the one word was all she croaked, groaning and keeping her eyes shut tightly. ]
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[ sorry, fellow scientists. they won't have much to spectate this time around, and this entire thing has much less to do with gauging self-induced stress on either side than they would have thought. Bigby is quite possibly the one and only person that is aware of what he is doing right now. whether or not he will come to regret it is yet to be seen, but he can only hope that the faith they discussed was a thing that existed. ]
That's a broad question to answer, miss. Let's narrow it down if you can. Are you asking why I'm one of them?
[ of course she is. his eyes look down to her face as she does her best to shield herself from the view of being transported from one kill room to another. Elizabeth didn't deserve this. Lara didn't deserve this. everyone was being subject to so much pain and sadness, and there was no end in sight. inklings of something worse than what they live in existing outside the doors has been hinted at, and his own fuzzy memory means nothing makes sense.
as Bigby carries her up the stairs, he goes ahead and answers the question to the best of his ability. ]
Couldn't really tell you. I could try, but it's a good chance I'd be wrong. A lot of shit here doesn't make sense and it doesn't match up with what I want to remember. Besides, Judy's kind of a stickler when it comes to trying to explain anything.
Again... sorry. I know it's not what you want to hear.
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...She can't escape, can she? Never outrun her fate. ]
No -
[ Her voice cracks. She wanted to know why her? She doesn't feel like her story sticks out compared to most, but there's a cruel irony in this she wonders if they understand. ]
Why me? Why couldn't I have just stayed dead?
[ Maybe he doesn't know how those words hit her, but she groans, shifting a bit in a failed attempt to get from his grasp, but no, she's too tired. ]
Just kill me... stop dragging - it out... Don't be like - [ Comstock. ] ..End it, Bigby...
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[ his steps are slow, as if purposely dragging this out. if the scientists were to follow and stop him, they would have done so already. Bigby doesn't need to be concerned with interference. he wants to help Elizabeth understand this as much as he can, even if he himself may be just as confused. she is so quick to succumb to defeat, accepting her fate and wanting it done with. it sucks to continue denying her what she wants. ]
Don't be like who? Elizabeth― I don't need to try and be someone else. I'm the Big Bad Wolf. This is kind of what I... do.
[ less blowing down houses, more subjecting people to death. it's maybe a little unorthodox for his modus operandi, but again. she had a hard time believing it was the real deal anyway. ]
I told you to avoid putting a target on your back. I was really hoping we could have avoided this...
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You didn't... have to - Don't blame the wolf, the man is just as sinful.
[ Was all she says before barely parting her eyes again, looking up to him as they approached their destination - wherever that is. In another universe, she catches him. In another universe, he died instead of Kei. In another universe, she died instead of Luke. It went down in so many ways that she would normally be aware of, but no... this is how it's happening. ]
I trusted you... [ The poor lamb to be slaughtered by the Big Bad Wolf... was there any closer ending? ] Do it, Bigby. Stop - right here, just do it!
[ She's beginning to feel more control of her body wake up more and soon, she'll wiggle around to escape, despite the tearing of her wound on her side. Even as blood creeps back out into her shirt, she's trying to weakly struggle. ]
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Distantly, Elizabeth and Bigby both will hear a distant clanking like a grinding of gears or maybe a tread turning. The scientists aren't following Bigby, but someone else is, and across the walkway, they might see what it is. It's a clunky, mechanical robot of some kind, though it makes it way towards them fairly quickly. Once it turns the corner, what's likely to stand out to them the most is the very much human brain mounted at the top of its chasis. ]
As I said, this is against regulations, Bigby.
[ The robot speaks, but rather than a monotone, it's a a borderline seductive tone, though that's probably also weird and uncomfortable. The robot, Judy, is heading their way, though her pace is slow because of the tank like treads. Or maybe she's just taking her time. ]
I have been observing you both for some time. I imagine you will find it difficult to finish this assessment. I hope you understand that immediate termination is required.
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Bigby lets out a howl as the shock works its way through his systems, and try as he might to hold Elizabeth, he just can't. her constant wriggling versus the electrocution loosening his muscles is too much, and she tumbles to the floor. sorry bb. that's the most pain he looks to be providing her tonight. of course he's too stubborn to believe he would be kept in place, so cue a few more shocks before he is doubling over and content with the knowledge that Judy doesn't want him to move.
that doesn't make the image of her as a... brain... and a combination of parts any less weird. he stares up at her through labored breaths, even so far as quirking a brow as to why her voice has suddenly become more feminine than before. maybe going to the third floor was a bad idea. oh, well. she talks so confidently of immediate termination and he just manages to crack a smile. ]
You're... you're capable of imagining? Wow. Wonders never fucking cease. Except you're wrong, Judy. Someone was going to die tonight. And that was supposed to be me.
[ he manages to look down to Elizabeth again and that smile quickly turns into a frown. his shoulders barely manage to formulate a light shrug. ]
―Sorry. Again. Was hoping to lay that out there a little later.
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She hears the motors whir, the way the treads bring the object closer. Was it - ... was it like some Handyman...? A Big Daddy..? Elizabeth's catching her breath as she lifts her body up with a cry,her body too frail and human now to not feel the effects of the past few days.
Bigby's words catch her and she's to her knees, the threats of termination and Bigby's sudden reveal making her more angry than ever. To Judy: ]
You - you pitted us against each other! You - [ There's a venom in the way she speaks that. ] - you thought we could do good... but - you didn't believe that, did you?
[ She's so angry, bundling her fists together on the floor. Her eyes look to Bigby. ]
W.. What? Shut up -
[ She doesn't know why he spoke of his own death, her sleepiness and anger boiling to a point where she just can't contain them. ]
Don't say another word - just get your kill and get it over with, Bigby. That's what your job is, right? Kill the poor subjects and get information? Wouldn't be the first time... ugh..
[ She's done, Bigby. She's lost. ]
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[ Judy rolls closer, but slows to a stop nearby and just out of their reach. ]
Was it always your plan to die, Bigby? This group of scientists seems to especially long for death. You are not so suicidal as the 18th iteration, however. Thank you for not killing yourselves upon awakening.
You have seen my chassis, and so you cannot live. My appearance is too shocking to residents. It is only for your memories that I believe you are not subject to side effects, Elizabeth. But do not worry. Your time will come shortly too.
But I give you a choice, Bigby. I will not steal the choice of how you would like to die from you. You have been a valuable asset, after all.
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I don't think it really matters to you... hnnn, about what my plan was. So long as someone's... h-heartrate is jacked up and people suffer, you get what you want. I'm not a― a suicidial guy. Some thing's just... take priority over others.
[ he knows now that he may not be able to outright stop Elizabeth from dying. fate is too heavily stacked against a favorable ending, and too many people want her dead. Judy included. but at least she might be able to live long enough to pass on what she's found out. he's the one restricted in information, not her. and who knows. she is a crafty gal. maybe she can find a way out of this that he can't think of. ]
You shut up, Elizabeth. I promised I'd protect you. Let me do my damn job and try. [ he did say he had a job to do. the scientists can confirm. :) ] ―What if I kill you, Judy? Mm? Would that satisfy your damn results?
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Bigby's crawling to her and her first thought was to pull back, but no - Judy's her focus. ]
You're a monster... you're just - ... you'll never understand we are just variables in some experiment! Give hope to take it away... I hope whatever bullshit data you're getting will suffice - end this all and let us out... or is that never the goal. The outside of the Complex is too barren, right? Some... some desert - some accident... something!
[ She has so many questions, especially with what Veronica told her but -
Bigby snaps at her and by now, they're close. Feet separate them and her eyes leave the robotic monstrosity behind them and she feels ... something she's not quite sure. He's trying to goad the creature to killing him, let her live? To protect her? Elizabeth feels her eyes grow watery and her fear spike. If Judy was taking results, she'd see the stress was at an all time high with his own threat of taking Judy's life.
It'll only end in blood and she doubts Judy will bleed... She pleads to Bigby with a cracked voice: ]
Don't do this -
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[ :) ]
You can attempt to do so, Bigby. But it would be a lapse in judgement. Humans are prone to them, so I understand your failings. If I die, then the data I have preserved will be lost. The dead will truly die with me.
Perhaps that is what you intend. But for those who do not wish to have their lives extinguished now that I oversee them, I cannot allow that.
[ Very suddenly, there's a sharp noise and a flash of red light. Like a gun, the light shoots out of Judy's chassis at Bigby. It's a powerful laser right to his chest that cuts through it rather gruesomely, but as the laser's beam is small, he'll bleed out slowly instead of quickly at this rate. ]
So, your choice. Would you like to die slowly or quickly?
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the knowledge bomb implanted in both his and Elizabeth's minds is enough to make his jaw grow tight. for his head to hurt harder than it had been. whatever conversations he's had with Judy, whatever information she felt comfortable provided to him up to this point ― none of that mattered. nothing mattered. as she so eloquently puts it, everything is pointless. his nails drag against the floor uncomfortably until they ball up into his palms, and he just stares at Elizabeth while her robotic voice continues to chide him for his decisions. with a snap of his head, he's back to looking at the brain in a jar on wheels known as Hector Con Carne. ]
―Fuck. ―You. I wasn't even supposed to be a human. You're a human, else you wouldn't be... nnn, protecting your brain, hiding away in this damn complex.
[ Elizabeth pleads for him to not do this and he just reaches his arm out, clasping his hand over hers. he is able to get one squeeze in before Judy rips through his body with one of her lasers. that... hurts, to say the least. it just misses his heart by an inch, but it was certainly enough to send him back. blood begins to slowly pour from the exit wound as he manages to clamber up on propped elbows. ]
Maybe that's... for the best. Let the dead die. Don't... f-fucking cling to them... [ another look at Elizabeth follows as he suddenly coughs out violently, a spurt of blood leaving his mouth and dripping from his chin. ] ―S-sorry again.
[ any and all energy he has remaining is used to push his hand to the waist of his pants and pull his pistol out. the gun is cocked and he aims as best as he can with a shaky grip. he pulls the trigger and the resounding shot of a bullet leaving the chamber can be heard. again and again, he shoots at her with all intent of taking her out of the picture. regardless of the consequences, he wanted Judy dead. not Elizabeth.
fate would have it that he misses. they bounce off of her chassis and none of them make it to their target. because of course, right? ]
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The tears can't be stopped at this point. Not sadness or realization, just frustration.
Elizabeth feels Bigby's hand on her and even as she flinches, she can't anticipate how to react. The beam was quick, hitting Bigby and echoing her scream so loudly it makes her own ears sting. ]
Bigb-
[ Elizabeth was on him before he could anticipate, her hand presses down into his wound, feeling the blood trickle out and stain against his shirt. It's mostly internal, right? The wound was nearly clean enough to look kind compared to a hail of gunfire but Elizabeth is doubled over Bigby at this point, even as he raises the gun to shoot at her, she flinches and tries to keep her hand steady, forceful down onto him.
The bullets miss every single one and if Bigby was to be reprimanded for such action - Judy needs to shoot through Elizabeth. She looks out over the railings of their floor, away from Bigby and Judy almost in shame for showing her sadness and fear. She snaps her head back to Judy with a choked sob - ]
Go to hell... you sad... pathetic creature.
[ Elizabeth's eyes trail back to Bigby, losing the anger she once had... Maybe they can talk later... ]
no subject
You still misunderstand. Both of you. But that is fine. That is what you are meant to do. Just as I am meant to do this.
[ There's no gaze or direction to speak of with Judy, but she speaks to Elizabeth now. ]
You do not remember why you are here. You do not even remember what came before here. Like you, Elizabeth. Your memories are very interesting. You chase after a man named Comstock. It's endless. But you will always kill him. That is what you wish to do. It is what you are meant to do.
But what we are meant to do is not easy. Or, it is not supposed to be. You are human, so there is difficulty in such a choice. That is why you do not remember. You do not remember who Booker DeWitt is, because it seemed best to me that perhaps you did not. But as you will die anyways, then I would like to give you at least that memory.
They are one and the same, after all. Booker DeWitt and Zachary Comstock, they are the same person. You will always kill him. It is just as certain as the fact that you will die here.
[ As Judy speaks, Elizabeth will suddenly be hit with an absolutely splitting headache, as if her skull was cracking. It starts with a nosebleed, but as her memory returns to her, it will progress into a brain bleed that will lead into a seizure. ]
But do not worry.
You will remember much more in death.
no subject
She just waits for the end now, waiting for the brilliant red light to hit her in the same way it did Bigby.
But, no... something else does. It's impact weighs much heavier than a laser, honestly.
Comstock's name rings through the air and she looks back to Judy only slightly. Her breath leaving her as she winces. The memories - everything about them seem... cold, unfamiliar? She didn't kill Comstock - did she? Not by her own means, no that was Booker wasn't it -?
Judy proposes something outrageous. Just hearing Booker's name makes her blood run cold and her fingers tighten onto Bigby's shirt. She looks down to him, mouthing something like "stay with me" under a muttered, raspy breath. Judy's revelation doesn't pull her away from the wolf underneath her. It's not real. It's not real. That didn't happen - that's not...
And then, the headache hit and Elizabeth doubles over. Her own blood mixes with his on that poor shirt, a hand going up to feel the familiar thickness of blood. Her digits are stained red and before she can say anything, Elizabeth's body tightens. She trembles at first before the headache rips through her. A hand goes up to clutch onto her head and no.
Booker. Comstock. One man. One city. One baptism.
It's clear as ever. As her body falls tightly onto Bigby's, she convulses with a pained groan, trying to regain her nerves. She's alive, unfortunately, and if she can regain her strength, she may survive.
Or may not.
We'll see, won't we?
For now, Elizabeth's limp on Bigby's body, looking down into the red that spreads slowly between them. ]
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the robot's conversation with Elizabeth doesn't make much sense for him, regardless of how much they've spoken of her life. it goes in and out, in and out, only picking up on words like Comstock and Booker. the important ones. what matters is how it seemingly affects her as a consequence, seeing the blood drip from her nose and her body beginning to twitch on top of his. Bigby cringes as he begins to worry that she was dying right next to him. his one good arm manages to summon the rest of his strength to reach up and wrap around Elizabeth's hip, pulling her in closer as she falls on top of him.
his voice is labored and weaker than that of the tough man she's gotten to know, but it's pressed close enough to her ear. ]
Be strong for me, alright? Don't die. Live as... long as you possibly can. [ however short that may be. ] Tell the others what I couldn't tell them. Just... nn, have faith.
[ he doesn't dramatically die after those words, but his eyes close and he does find himself losing consciousness. there's no happy ending waiting for Bigby here, either. ]