animus_network | ♘ 1: Video

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♘ 1: Video

[The visage appearing over the video feed was...less than amused, honestly. MAKO green eyes framed with silver narrowed in growing consternation, as this particular user had been trying to make sense of this strange simulation for the last hour or so. With little luck, as this place damned sure wasn't his HQ field tent.

Not to mention that this thing in his hand certainly doesn't look like his PHS, there's a bloody collar around his neck (and for that, heads will roll, oh yes), his sword is nowhere to be found and some idiot considered it humorous to leave cryptic notes at the foot of his bunk... Needless to say, Sephiroth's temper with it was quickly evaporating.]

...I do not find this particularly amusing, gentlemen. We have work to be done, these pranks are better left for your celebrating at mission's completion.

[Granted, finding himself in a completely different place than the one in which he'd arrived the previous day did little to mollify his irritation, either. But, no matter the situation, a SOLDIER always kept a level head. ...most of the time.]

Fair! Strife! Report in, immediately!

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Why, hello, Sephiroth. What a surprise to see you here.

[Smiling, Hojo doesn't sound surprised at all, although it is true that he hadn't expected to see Sephiroth. Especially not like this. What's happened to him?]

Calling for your men? [Now that is interesting. He hadn't been in a military frame of mind when Hojo had last seen him.] Cloud Strife... [Hojo does know the name of that particular infantryman.] He is here, and I don't doubt he'll be glad to see you.

[At this, he can't help but laugh.]

[A thousand nightmares instantly flashed before green eyes, but all Sephiroth allowed was a minute clenching of his jaw, barely noticeable behind a fall of silver.]

--Professor. [Said in as cordial a tone as he could muster.] Is this..."simulation" some experiment of yours?

[Because if so, you and he were going to have words, Hojo. Oh, yes.]

[He folded his hands as he regarded the screen.]

Mine? Oh no, it isn't mine. It is an interesting experiment, in its way, but it's nothing to do with my work... As far as I can tell.

[Although now there was another of his experiments here.]

Wouldn't it be fascinating if it were?

[He unfolded his hands and touched the fingers of one to the collar at his throat.]

If you would take the time to examine your surroundings and this network, you might learn a little more. Someone with your background should have no trouble, haha.

[That small little screeking noise? That was the plastic casing around the device shrieking in pain because black-gloved fingers were strangling it.]

I'll thank you not to patronize me, Professor. [Your head was only so attached to that scrawny neck, you know. But a small spark of wicked amusement lit MAKO green eyes to see Hojo's own collar.]

So. It seems you're no less a prisoner, then. Interesting, indeed.

Patronize? [Yes, of course.] I expressed my faith in your abilities, as they are great. You always were quick to figure things out. Such potential, I've always said.

[Hojo laughed, largely to himself.] I am very many things now.

[But he sobered quickly enough. It wasn't that he enjoyed being part of someone else's experiment, in spite of the fact that death had left him with less concern for himself than usual (but no less concern for his research).] We are, yes, to all appearances. Our worlds destroyed, if not our universes, if one is to believe the claim.

I wonder, what could cause something like that?

[Hojo's expression was almost fond for a moment as he recollected recent events.]

I don't. ["Believe the claim", he meant. Nor would he, not without hard evidence.]

What is your purpose here, Professor? [Because if it was anything like the man's duties back in ShinRa, they were going to have a serious problem.]

Good, good, I'm glad to hear it. [Hojo approved of this skepticism. The only claims he weren't skeptical about were his own.]

My purpose? I was brought here... [He trailed off for a moment, as if in thought, before deciding suddenly:] To do as I like. To be happy, didn't you read the letter?

[Not that he believed the letter any more than he believed the incredible claim, and the sarcasm in his voice made this clear enough. He already knew what he intended to do, of course. Continue his work!]

Thus far, I have been given no task to perform. I have been here-- [He held up a single finger.] One day. And here you come, in my wake!

I did. And found it no more credible than I find you now. Professor.

[At the latter, Sephiroth's lip curled despite his intention.] I wouldn't read too much into it, were I you.

[But, to business.] Have any others from "our world" been transported here? [Aside from Zack Fair and himself, but be damned if he'd give this crazy man that information.]

I don't believe I've made any claims yet, credible or not, but never fear, I have not forgotten your opinion of me! You've made it clear enough in the past.

Yes, yes, of course not. What a ridiculous letter. Happiness. As if that is a worthwhile goal or likely to be the true aim of a researcher in such a scenario.

Oh, I don't keep up with such things. [He waves a hand.] Who can say? [Read: he doesn't care, except where his experiments are concerned.] I've been too busy to take a census.

[As if he'd believe anything out of your mouth, Professor; indeed, it was pointless to even ask.]

You've been busy, have you? With what, dare I ask?

[Because Hojo being busy smacks of, well, evil.]

[He did speak the truth sometimes... Though it could be hard to identify, when it did come, carelessly thrown into the midst of untruths. Now, there were certain truths he was more inclined to reveal.]

A scientists always brings his work with him, no matter where he goes.

[He taps his temple.]

You should know that.

[That admission...made Sephiroth go cold all over. But his expression didn't change, save for a slight tightening of his eyes. What seethed across his mind was "I'll drown you in all the lakes of hell before I allow such insanity here", but what came out of his mouth was:]

Does he.

[He wasn't truly afraid of Sephiroth. General Sephiroth had protected him, on occasion. Even the other hadn't gone out of his way to harm him, and he might have. He easily might have.

Not that he had absolute faith in his conditioning of the subject.]

He does. And that's not all I've brought with me.

[He tapped, not his collar this time, but the back of his wrist, as if tapping a watch that wasn't there. He laughed again.]

A stern taskmaster I've taken on.

[Protected him under order of ShinRa's President, not out of any sort of affection. Yet here, the Old Man had yet to appear. And Sephiroth well remembered his "conditioning". Oh, he did.]

Then I wish you all the joys of it.

[Although your "Specimen S" will be watching you, Professor. Most closely.]

[He tapped his wrist for another few beats. That was the arm he'd injected. He had already ascertained that the Jenova cells within him were alive and well.

No, he'd never believe Sephiroth would go out of his way for him, or ever felt any affection for him. He knew that very well. But he didn't fear him. There wasn't much he had left to fear. What did the dead fear? He had--other concerns. Still, he was annoyed by Sephiroth's dismissive manner, and not for the first time. He frowned.

The conditioning was necessary.

He'd changed somewhat, but he remained the same in many ways. He knew he must make up for his failures. He had already set new plans in motion.]

I think you'll find, yes, someday you'll come to find that our goals are not so dissimilar as you believe.

If only you'd allow me to run some basic tests, we might learn a few things about our captors. [Though he knew he wouldn't, sure he was going to be irrational--he'd have to find more willing subjects, but one for whom he had a control sample (other than himself) would be ideal.]

[At that request, Sephiroth's gaze went cold. There was no way in all hells he was going to let that man get near him, or any of those under his command. Not ever again.]

I think not. I've endured quite enough of your tests, Professor.

[He smiled in the face of Sephiroth's familiar coldness. His smile wasn't particularly warm itself.

All the SOLDIERs were his experiments. SOLDIER was his project. He didn't see the use in retreading old ground in that direction, but it would be interesting to see if they had been altered, if there were differences. Who was more familiar with their physiology than he was? No one. What a shame. A perfect opportunity to research this place, squandered by irrational emotion.

He changed the subject.]

You're different. What is the last thing you remember?

[Sephiroth's expression softened only enough to become more than a touch cynical.]

What merit do my memories hold for you?

[Didn't you have all of them recorded somewhere, Professor?]

Did I ever say they held none?

On the contrary.

Nor did I. I was inquiring as to just what value they were to you.

Yes, the to me was implied in my preceding statement.

On the contrary, they are of value to me. You see--! When I last saw you, you looked quite different, and that interests me.

[There you go again, with that patronizing garbage, Professor.]

My apologies, but I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint.

[You're a reputable genius, old man. You figure it out.]

Ah well, I have a fair idea already.

...aren't you curious at all?

[Very, but he'd no more trust a word out of that man's mouth than he would it raining upside down.]

I am. [The only admission Hojo'd get.] But my efforts will be better spent leading my men and ensuring they survive long enough to return home.

Such a military mindset.

There's so many reasons we might be here, so many possible theories to explain this place. Don't you think study and understanding will help you? And your men?

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