((This thread catalogues the extensive de-programming ritual that Edith Kemp of the Illuminati has planned for Knight-Captain Cassandra Havelock.
Consider this a trigger warning - it is some pretty intense reading. It is not mandatory to read this to participate in Hidden Dragon.))
PREPARATION
“This is going to happen. Its too late now.” He pulls the syringe out with a pop and taps the needle tip giving it just a squirt to clear the air from it. He moves over to the comfy chair.
“Please let me out of the chair.” Cass is breathing like she just ran a marathon. “Just for five minutes. I just - holy shit. Let me out of the chair. That was... deeply unpleasant, whatever that was.”
“So you claim to retain no memory of the events since your triggering?”
The masked goon nods. “Several minutes. Is there anything specific you can recall? Words? Sounds? Smells? Feelings?”
“Anger. Fear.” Cass shakes her head. “Struggle.”
“The groups apologizes but they don’t want to release you just yet. I’m sorry. They… seem to be having a discussion.”
Cass tries to calm her breathing. “Uh. Okay. Sure.” She opens and closes her hands, flexing them in a calming motion, and begins to mutter to herself: I am a Lion of the Templars, I will not fear, I am a Lion of the Templars...
The speaking goon busies himself returning the syringe and bottle to their places. At Edith’s directions an alarm sounds. The speaker looks up at the door then over at Cassandra. He taps his ear piece. “Requesting instructions.”
“Let me out,” Cass says urgently. “If something’s wrong, I can help. Let me out of the chair.”
The goon moves over by the door. “Requesting instructions.” There is the sound of weapons fire outside the door. The goon moves towards the door as it bursts in knocking him aside. A small group of men in civilian clothes moves in. Across the table from Cass one lowers his shotgun at the downed goon behind the table and fires. A splash of red hits the wall.
Quickly a black bag is dropped over Cassandra’s head and she feels the rough prick at her arm as she is sedated.
In her last moments, she shrieks and struggles. It’s not enough. Everything goes black.
Edith gives her directions to those involved. “Remember, small doses, let her rouse a few times then put her under. I want you to drive around the compound for at least two hours before putting her in the Morninglight room remember use those metal shackles. She has to be secured properly and believe it or this isn’t going to work. Now get Q&A cleaned up and reset.” She grins. “And tell Frank he’s doing great for a corpse.”
“Now now. We told you you would be back among the light didn’t we Cassy?”
Between the hampering by the shackles and the simplicity of the attack Edith easily knocks her feet out from under the Knight Captain. She kneels on her back. “We love you Cassy, but you know love sometimes hurts. You’ve felt our love sister. Do you need to feel it again?”
“GET THE HELL OFF ME, I AM NOT YOUR SISTER, I WILL KILL YOU, IF YOU TOUCH ME AGAIN I WILL -” Cass is raging, her voice hoarse but strong.
Edith’s contralto drops into a menacing tone. “Settle down sister. Remember we can take it away again too. Never give it back this time.”
“Light be praised we got you back.” She stands. “They are talking about scrubbing your mission. That your cover’s been blown.” She turns away as if thinking. “What can you report?”
“I’m sorry, a poor personality copy in a hijacked body is all you are to us now. You’ll have your uses I’m sure.”
“You want to do something more than look out from behind her eyes? You need to regain some humility before those we serve- You are who we say you are.”
RELEASE
Edith shakes her head and looks disappointed. “Sister, we are all one in the light. You already know that, here.” she touches her own chest. “We just need to make sure you know it here.” She brushes her fingers against Cassandra’s hair gently.
“Don’t fucking touch me.” Cass spits through gritted teeth. “I’m not your sister. I’ll never be your sister.”
“There are other options. You could be relegated to the darkness.” She looks away. “I’d hate to see that. To see such a shining star like you…” She trails off.
Quickly masked figures gather her up and return her to the cleaned up Q&A room. Working quickly they put all the monitor lines and sensors back onto Cassandra resetting the scene exactly. Everyone is in place again when she rouses.
She blinks. Lifts her head. Looks around. Her brow furrows and she tests the restraints, lifts the finger with the sensor on it. “What?” She mutters. “It doesn’t... What?”
Frank the ‘dead’ goon returned to life as if nothing occurred.
“Excellent Knight Captain you are back with us.” His voice does carry some vague sense of concern. “They think you went into a fugue state there after our third triggering.” The goon steps over. “Are you all right? How do you feel? Do you remember anything?”
Cass rolls her head on her shoulders. “I... remember a... woman? I think. I think a woman. I remember being... angry. And afraid? And I remember her... holding me down.” Cass’s vitals spike a bit at the memory.
The goon pants in his mask for effect. “Don’t count on it. You leave here ours or in a bag. A small bag.”
“Oh great she’s babbling again.” The goon looks to the silent goon giving as pained an expression a gas masked interrogator can give. “Looks like we are going to need the bone saw after all.”
“It’s fine. Never mind.” “Cassandra”’s face is still confused. “I... I was confused. Ask me the question again.”
The goon swings back instantly. “What is the name of your controller? What are your orders traitor?”
“Okay… we are back to this again…” Frank the goon shakes his masked face sadly. He perks up and touches his ear bud. “Understood.” He looks over to the silent goon. “They want to try for a wipe.” He shrugs. “Why they even bother…Okay grab the ECT.”
The silent goon wheels over a device that is quietly humming. It has two thick pigtail curly wires that end in what looks like old fashioned telephone speakers. Frank the goon returns with two pair of thick heavy black industrial looking rubber gloves that reach up past their elbows. “If this doesn’t work they are talking about another ‘shot while escaping’ report.” Both chuckle evilly while donning the gloves.
Cassandra’s body struggles against the restraints futilely in a panic. “I didn’t come this far - to let you take this away from me!” He shouts angrily, trying to pull the whole armrest loose if necessary.
“Her mentation is rejecting your pattern. Marquard was always doubtful it would be stable. He barely approved the project.”
“Are you really?” She looks doubtful. “What did the Illuminati do to her head?”
Consider this a trigger warning - it is some pretty intense reading. It is not mandatory to read this to participate in Hidden Dragon.))
PREPARATION
Edith looks at the monitor showing the Knight Captain for a moment her impossibly blue eyes glittering. She turns to the officer in charge.
“I’m going to need some things set up. I need two rooms. One a standard Q&A room, comfy chair and all.” She says referring to the large padded articulated couches used for personal questioning. “The other I need carpeted, done in light pastels with Morninglight motivational posters, comfortable furniture and Morninglight books, used books. They need to look read. Put a single dummy camera in a corner, you know the dome commercially available ones. Spray it down with something cloying and floral. Outside the door in need a pot of sandle wood incense and a recording of a Morninglight service playing on a speaker.”
She begins ticking more things off. “I need two goons, full uniforms, masks. I need a flashbang and some recorded alarms assault noise etc. Lastly a civilian van and driver and some more goons civillian gear.” She looks at the man in charge. “Lets do this right.”
“Give us one hour, ma’am, and we’ll have everything to your specifications.” He nods and begins barking orders to his men, who scrable. “Two questions. Full uniforms and masks - any organization in particular? Second. Which room do you want the Knight-Captain in?”
“Why ours, of course. It would be a shame if the Captain had to choose between the devil and the deep blue sea.” Her smile was not a pleasant one.
She begins ticking more things off. “I need two goons, full uniforms, masks. I need a flashbang and some recorded alarms assault noise etc. Lastly a civilian van and driver and some more goons civillian gear.” She looks at the man in charge. “Lets do this right.”
“Give us one hour, ma’am, and we’ll have everything to your specifications.” He nods and begins barking orders to his men, who scrable. “Two questions. Full uniforms and masks - any organization in particular? Second. Which room do you want the Knight-Captain in?”
“Why ours, of course. It would be a shame if the Captain had to choose between the devil and the deep blue sea.” Her smile was not a pleasant one.
“Understood, ma’am.” He salutes and heads off.
One hour and two minutes later, he signals at you. The set up is complete and the Knight-Captain is ready for you.
TRIGGER
Edith is playing behind the scenes director via CC cameras and speaking instructions into her her Goon’s ear buds. The goons politely escort the Cassandra to the Q&A room.
Cass enters the Q&A room, looking around. Her hands are shaking and her eyes are wide. She eyes the chair and nervously perches on the edge of it.
Edith speaks into a mic softly the goon obediently saying her words through his mask.
“Please Knight Captain, sit back. There is nothing to be afraid of. This is for your protection as much as ours.” He makes a placating gesture. “We really do have your best interests in mind. You should know there is an observer from Temple Hall part of the group working to resolve your...difficulties.”
“...Okay.” Cass sits back in the chair properly, still looking around the room, trying to take in every detail she can. “Okay, I’m uh, sitting back. Is it Knight-Commander Truss? Can I talk to him?”
Cass enters the Q&A room, looking around. Her hands are shaking and her eyes are wide. She eyes the chair and nervously perches on the edge of it.
Edith speaks into a mic softly the goon obediently saying her words through his mask.
“Please Knight Captain, sit back. There is nothing to be afraid of. This is for your protection as much as ours.” He makes a placating gesture. “We really do have your best interests in mind. You should know there is an observer from Temple Hall part of the group working to resolve your...difficulties.”
“...Okay.” Cass sits back in the chair properly, still looking around the room, trying to take in every detail she can. “Okay, I’m uh, sitting back. Is it Knight-Commander Truss? Can I talk to him?”
The goon shakes his negatively as the other one begins securing Cassandra with the padded restraints.
“I’m sorry Knight Captain, the head shrinkers and there are four in the group, all felt it was best that you dealt with as few people as possible. I am their voice. They are speaking to me on a channel. I imagine its alot like having one of those Education Protocol events occur.”
“Uh. O-Okay.” Cass tenses as the goon begins to restrain her, but doesn’t fight back or resist in any way. “Head shrinkers, huh? I - I guess you’re taking this very seriously. Okay. That’s uh, that’s good.”
“Uh. O-Okay.” Cass tenses as the goon begins to restrain her, but doesn’t fight back or resist in any way. “Head shrinkers, huh? I - I guess you’re taking this very seriously. Okay. That’s uh, that’s good.”
“Exactly Knight Captain. you are right now a very important part of our mutual Societies interactions. Now please hold still while the sensor pads are applied.” The other goon begins applying EKG pads on to Cassandra. Her temples, neck, center of her chest, her left side and arm. A finger cup sensor of some kind is fitted to her right hand index finger. “These are so we can monitor your vitals. I’m sorry if they cause discomfort.”
“After the Dawnbreak? This is a fuckin’ day spa.” Cass laughs nervously. “It’s fine. Okay. So uh, I guess you guys are going to run some tests?” She shifts nervously, testing her strength against the restraints.
The masked goon nods. “Exactly Knight Captain. They need to see what happens with you physiologically when you are in that… altered state. But before they begin they want me to ask you some questions.” He holds a hand to his ear as if listening because that is what is doing. “When you were triggered do you remember what happened?”
“After the Dawnbreak? This is a fuckin’ day spa.” Cass laughs nervously. “It’s fine. Okay. So uh, I guess you guys are going to run some tests?” She shifts nervously, testing her strength against the restraints.
The masked goon nods. “Exactly Knight Captain. They need to see what happens with you physiologically when you are in that… altered state. But before they begin they want me to ask you some questions.” He holds a hand to his ear as if listening because that is what is doing. “When you were triggered do you remember what happened?”
“Uh. No. One moment I was on the couch, the next I was being held by Mr. Blake. Everything in between is gone.”
The goon pauses a moment the other busies himself bringing forward some monitor equipment and hooking the leads into it. He nods to the speaking goon. “Thank you Knight Captain. I want to forewarn you. We are going to trigger you now. We apologize for any discomfort.” He steps back. The other goon stands slightly behind the chair a prepared bottle of spray chloroform at the ready. The speaking goon says the phrase. “Dawn is breaking, lion cub.”
When you tell Cass she is about to be triggered, her heart rate spikes and her vitals surge in panic. Immediately after the code is spoken things - settle. The Knight-Captain looks around the room, soaking in as much as she can with her eyes, as if she’s seeing everything for the first time. All of her vitals are calm. She tests the restraints carefully, shifts her weight, rubs a finger against the cap on her index finger. She says nothing.
The goon pauses a moment the other busies himself bringing forward some monitor equipment and hooking the leads into it. He nods to the speaking goon. “Thank you Knight Captain. I want to forewarn you. We are going to trigger you now. We apologize for any discomfort.” He steps back. The other goon stands slightly behind the chair a prepared bottle of spray chloroform at the ready. The speaking goon says the phrase. “Dawn is breaking, lion cub.”
When you tell Cass she is about to be triggered, her heart rate spikes and her vitals surge in panic. Immediately after the code is spoken things - settle. The Knight-Captain looks around the room, soaking in as much as she can with her eyes, as if she’s seeing everything for the first time. All of her vitals are calm. She tests the restraints carefully, shifts her weight, rubs a finger against the cap on her index finger. She says nothing.
The goon stands there quietly a moment. “What is your mission?” The question was stated in a neutral tone.
“I do not have a mission. I am on leave from London and recovering. I am feeling faint. Will you please escort me back to my room?” “Cass” says in even, measured tones.
“I do not have a mission. I am on leave from London and recovering. I am feeling faint. Will you please escort me back to my room?” “Cass” says in even, measured tones.
“I’m sorry Knight Captain that won’t be possible. If you faint your chair will adequately hold you. We have some questions for you.”
“She” frowns angrily but says nothing.
The goon stands there impassively. “Before we begin is there anything you wish to say?”
“I have nothing to say.” “Cassandra” says, still staring at the goon with anger in her eyes.
“She” frowns angrily but says nothing.
The goon stands there impassively. “Before we begin is there anything you wish to say?”
“I have nothing to say.” “Cassandra” says, still staring at the goon with anger in her eyes.
“We know about the conditioning. Kevin Fowler’s notes were quite thorough. We’d hoped you’d be cooperative but thats no matter.” The goon picks up a syringe from a tray and small bottle of a yellowish liquid. “We know how to deal with such things.”
The woman in the chair shifts again, pulling against the restraints. “What is that?” She asks, her tones cold and angry. “I am a Knight-Captain of the Templars, I demand my Venetian rights be exercised.”
“Venice isn’t here, the Temple isn’t here, There is you, an enemy agent of the Dawnbreakers, and there is us, the Illuminati. We are going to make you our animal now.” He slides the syringe into the bottle and begins pulling the liquid slowly into it.
The woman in the chair shifts again, pulling against the restraints. “What is that?” She asks, her tones cold and angry. “I am a Knight-Captain of the Templars, I demand my Venetian rights be exercised.”
“Venice isn’t here, the Temple isn’t here, There is you, an enemy agent of the Dawnbreakers, and there is us, the Illuminati. We are going to make you our animal now.” He slides the syringe into the bottle and begins pulling the liquid slowly into it.
“I am not an enemy agent of the Dawnbreak - I am Knight-Captain Cassandra Arbuthnot of the Temple, and I demand that you stop immediately.”
“This is going to happen. Its too late now.” He pulls the syringe out with a pop and taps the needle tip giving it just a squirt to clear the air from it. He moves over to the comfy chair.
“The Knight-Captain” continues to struggle against the restraints, pulling on whatever anima-infused strength they can.
“Don’t struggle, after all you are who we say you are.”
RELEASE
“Don’t struggle, after all you are who we say you are.”
RELEASE
The vital signs all spike. Cass gasps like she’s just emerged from a tub of ice water, and she keeps struggling - out of confusion more than an actual desire to escape. “What -- what just --”
The goon stops moving and sets the syringe of colored water down.
“Be calm, this was a test Knight Captain. A successful one. We learned much about the results of conditioning you underwent.”
The goon stops moving and sets the syringe of colored water down.
“Be calm, this was a test Knight Captain. A successful one. We learned much about the results of conditioning you underwent.”
“Please let me out of the chair.” Cass is breathing like she just ran a marathon. “Just for five minutes. I just - holy shit. Let me out of the chair. That was... deeply unpleasant, whatever that was.”
“So you claim to retain no memory of the events since your triggering?”
She closes her eyes. “I mean, the first time. This time, there’s... shadows of it. It was longer, right? I guess?”
The masked goon nods. “Several minutes. Is there anything specific you can recall? Words? Sounds? Smells? Feelings?”
“Anger. Fear.” Cass shakes her head. “Struggle.”
“The groups apologizes but they don’t want to release you just yet. I’m sorry. They… seem to be having a discussion.”
Cass tries to calm her breathing. “Uh. Okay. Sure.” She opens and closes her hands, flexing them in a calming motion, and begins to mutter to herself: I am a Lion of the Templars, I will not fear, I am a Lion of the Templars...
The speaking goon busies himself returning the syringe and bottle to their places. At Edith’s directions an alarm sounds. The speaker looks up at the door then over at Cassandra. He taps his ear piece. “Requesting instructions.”
“Let me out,” Cass says urgently. “If something’s wrong, I can help. Let me out of the chair.”
The goon moves over by the door. “Requesting instructions.” There is the sound of weapons fire outside the door. The goon moves towards the door as it bursts in knocking him aside. A small group of men in civilian clothes moves in. Across the table from Cass one lowers his shotgun at the downed goon behind the table and fires. A splash of red hits the wall.
“No, no, no -” Cass is struggling against the chair. “holy shit, no, no, no, no, NO, NO, NO -”
Quickly a black bag is dropped over Cassandra’s head and she feels the rough prick at her arm as she is sedated.
In her last moments, she shrieks and struggles. It’s not enough. Everything goes black.
Edith gives her directions to those involved. “Remember, small doses, let her rouse a few times then put her under. I want you to drive around the compound for at least two hours before putting her in the Morninglight room remember use those metal shackles. She has to be secured properly and believe it or this isn’t going to work. Now get Q&A cleaned up and reset.” She grins. “And tell Frank he’s doing great for a corpse.”
The bag. Not the bag again. Cass shifts, trying to figure out where she is, feeling the hot breath press against her face from the weight of the cloth.
“YOU FUCKS!” she screams. “I’LL KILL YOU FUCKS, I SWEAR TO GOD!”
“YOU FUCKS!” she screams. “I’LL KILL YOU FUCKS, I SWEAR TO GOD!”
She tests her limbs, seeing how restrained she is.
The room is exactly as Edith ordered. Designed to be relaxing and comforting. All the furniture is soft slightly overstuffed cloth covered including the deep chair Cassandra seems to have been casually set into. Prisoner shackles of the type used to transport prisoners with attached cuffs and ankles binds her from behind making sitting in the otherwise comfortable chair awkward and uncomfortable. She might leverage herself out of it but probably wind up on the floor as a consequence.
She strains, pulls, and after a struggle, she manages to pull herself loose and land on the floor hard. Grunting, she pulls the hood off her head and looks around, expecting to see the stark cell she was held in in West Virginia.
She strains, pulls, and after a struggle, she manages to pull herself loose and land on the floor hard. Grunting, she pulls the hood off her head and looks around, expecting to see the stark cell she was held in in West Virginia.
The door opens and someone enters amid a swirl of sandalwood scent and the faint sound of some kind of preaching. From her vantage point she sees the approaching hem of a figure dressed in Morninglight priestess robes. Underneath she appears to be wearing comfortable sneakers. “Oh goodness no.” The woman rushes over and Edith smiles beatifically with her impossibly blue eyes. “Let me help you sister.” She bends down.
“I’m - I’m not your sister!” Cass snarls, climbing to her feet. “Get the hell away from me.”
“Now now. We told you you would be back among the light didn’t we Cassy?”
Between the familiar nickname and the Morninglight surroundings, Cass snaps. She lunges at the Morninglight priestess, very little technique to her attack - just unrestrained rage.
Between the hampering by the shackles and the simplicity of the attack Edith easily knocks her feet out from under the Knight Captain. She kneels on her back. “We love you Cassy, but you know love sometimes hurts. You’ve felt our love sister. Do you need to feel it again?”
“GET THE HELL OFF ME, I AM NOT YOUR SISTER, I WILL KILL YOU, IF YOU TOUCH ME AGAIN I WILL -” Cass is raging, her voice hoarse but strong.
Edith’s contralto drops into a menacing tone. “Settle down sister. Remember we can take it away again too. Never give it back this time.”
She lets out a low groan of despair into the carpet and stops struggling. “Better mortal than Morninglight,” she growls. “Better dead than Morninglight.” But her voice is quiet, and pained, and she goes still.
“There, there, sister.” Her voice returns to the cheerful tone it held when she entered. “Let me help you up. By the light, they left you in a mess.” The ‘priestess’ easily lifts Cassandra to her feets and helps her back into the chair. “There now.” She makes a dusting off of her hands motion. “Isn’t that better?”
Cass’s face is hard with hatred and she stares at the priestess. “What the fuck do you want?” She snarls. “Obedience?”
“Oh my dear.” She sets a hand on Cassandra’s knee as if trying to comfort her. “We already have that.”
Cass laughs, a mean, harsh laugh. “Bullshit you do.”
Edith looks into Cassandra’s eyes. “Dawn is breaking, lion cub.”
“There, there, sister.” Her voice returns to the cheerful tone it held when she entered. “Let me help you up. By the light, they left you in a mess.” The ‘priestess’ easily lifts Cassandra to her feets and helps her back into the chair. “There now.” She makes a dusting off of her hands motion. “Isn’t that better?”
Cass’s face is hard with hatred and she stares at the priestess. “What the fuck do you want?” She snarls. “Obedience?”
“Oh my dear.” She sets a hand on Cassandra’s knee as if trying to comfort her. “We already have that.”
Cass laughs, a mean, harsh laugh. “Bullshit you do.”
Edith looks into Cassandra’s eyes. “Dawn is breaking, lion cub.”
TRIGGER
Cassandra relaxes and looks around. “Sister.” She says, smiling slightly. “What’s the situation?”
“Light be praised we got you back.” She stands. “They are talking about scrubbing your mission. That your cover’s been blown.” She turns away as if thinking. “What can you report?”
“Not as much as I would like. The Knight-Captain is in detention. I got a shot at Blake. But I was sedated. Couldn’t do it.”
“What about the other targets?”
“I expected them to trust the Knight-Captain more. Couldn’t get embedded.” Cass frowns. “Undo my restraints.”
She turns back to Cassandra. “I’m sorry Sister you were in the hands of those Illuminati fuckers” She speak rancorously, but her next phrase she says each word slowly. “There are concerns.” She returns to the chair speaking normally. “I need to hear your orders, all of them. To be sure they haven’t been tampered with.”
“I expected them to trust the Knight-Captain more. Couldn’t get embedded.” Cass frowns. “Undo my restraints.”
She turns back to Cassandra. “I’m sorry Sister you were in the hands of those Illuminati fuckers” She speak rancorously, but her next phrase she says each word slowly. “There are concerns.” She returns to the chair speaking normally. “I need to hear your orders, all of them. To be sure they haven’t been tampered with.”
“You don’t know who I am, do you?” Cassandra’s voice is odd, she’s speaking low. “I’m Ezekiel King. You don’t give me orders. I know you Morninglight lot are slow on the draw, but I’m the leader of the Dawnbreak. I’m the one who pulled the victory off here.”
“I’m sorry, a poor personality copy in a hijacked body is all you are to us now. You’ll have your uses I’m sure.”
Ezekiel shakes his head. “You want the Knight-Captain? You play ball with me.”
“You want to do something more than look out from behind her eyes? You need to regain some humility before those we serve- You are who we say you are.”
RELEASE
Cass sits in the chair, disoriented from the switch and the sedatives. She stares at Edith, eyes slowly focusing. “...Like... Like I was saying... You don’t have MY obedience. You have a pass code to use me like a puppet. But you don’t have ME. And you NEVER will.”
Edith shakes her head and looks disappointed. “Sister, we are all one in the light. You already know that, here.” she touches her own chest. “We just need to make sure you know it here.” She brushes her fingers against Cassandra’s hair gently.
“Don’t fucking touch me.” Cass spits through gritted teeth. “I’m not your sister. I’ll never be your sister.”
“There are other options. You could be relegated to the darkness.” She looks away. “I’d hate to see that. To see such a shining star like you…” She trails off.
Cass remains silent and just grinds her teeth, struggling against her confines.
With her back to Cassandra she pulls out the lightweight half mask respirator and covers her face as she signals for the soporific gas to be triggered knocking Cassandra out again.
“No, not again - I -” Cass’s chin hits her chest, and she’s out cold.
Quickly masked figures gather her up and return her to the cleaned up Q&A room. Working quickly they put all the monitor lines and sensors back onto Cassandra resetting the scene exactly. Everyone is in place again when she rouses.
She blinks. Lifts her head. Looks around. Her brow furrows and she tests the restraints, lifts the finger with the sensor on it. “What?” She mutters. “It doesn’t... What?”
Frank the ‘dead’ goon returned to life as if nothing occurred.
“Excellent Knight Captain you are back with us.” His voice does carry some vague sense of concern. “They think you went into a fugue state there after our third triggering.” The goon steps over. “Are you all right? How do you feel? Do you remember anything?”
Cass rolls her head on her shoulders. “I... remember a... woman? I think. I think a woman. I remember being... angry. And afraid? And I remember her... holding me down.” Cass’s vitals spike a bit at the memory.
TRIGGER
The goon steps forward again coming to stand next to her. His masked face looks down at her. “Dawn is breaking, lion cub.” The goon immediately slaps her shouting. “ANSWER THE QUESTION BITCH WHAT ARE YOUR ORDERS?”
The goon steps forward again coming to stand next to her. His masked face looks down at her. “Dawn is breaking, lion cub.” The goon immediately slaps her shouting. “ANSWER THE QUESTION BITCH WHAT ARE YOUR ORDERS?”
Unaware, the “Knight-Captain’s” face snaps back from the hit. “I don’t know.” she says, her voice cold and hard. “I answer questions better when I’m not restrained.”
The goon pants in his mask for effect. “Don’t count on it. You leave here ours or in a bag. A small bag.”
“I thought... What time is it? What date is it?” Cass’s face, controlled by King, is confused. “I thought - a Morninglight Sister...”
“Oh great she’s babbling again.” The goon looks to the silent goon giving as pained an expression a gas masked interrogator can give. “Looks like we are going to need the bone saw after all.”
“It’s fine. Never mind.” “Cassandra”’s face is still confused. “I... I was confused. Ask me the question again.”
The goon swings back instantly. “What is the name of your controller? What are your orders traitor?”
King has no idea what you’re talking about, that much is clear. “I am... a Lion of the Templars, and I’ll never speak.”
“Okay… we are back to this again…” Frank the goon shakes his masked face sadly. He perks up and touches his ear bud. “Understood.” He looks over to the silent goon. “They want to try for a wipe.” He shrugs. “Why they even bother…Okay grab the ECT.”
King struggles against his restraints, testing Cassandra’s strength with increasing desperation.
The silent goon wheels over a device that is quietly humming. It has two thick pigtail curly wires that end in what looks like old fashioned telephone speakers. Frank the goon returns with two pair of thick heavy black industrial looking rubber gloves that reach up past their elbows. “If this doesn’t work they are talking about another ‘shot while escaping’ report.” Both chuckle evilly while donning the gloves.
Cassandra’s body struggles against the restraints futilely in a panic. “I didn’t come this far - to let you take this away from me!” He shouts angrily, trying to pull the whole armrest loose if necessary.
The Frank picks up the electrodes and the silent goon presses a button on the box. A loud ugly wrhng sound comes from it. They nod and Frank comes over with a mouth piece.
“Oh now you are just saying anything you think we want to hear.”
Cassandra’s eyes widens and she tries to wrench away from the box, moving as far as possible as the chair allows.
“What nothing to say?” Frank taunts holding the mouthpiece close to Cassandra’s face. “Open wide bitch.”
King defiantly keeps Cassandra’s mouth shut, staring at the Illuminati agents with hatred and fear in his eyes.
“Oh now you are just saying anything you think we want to hear.”
Cassandra’s eyes widens and she tries to wrench away from the box, moving as far as possible as the chair allows.
“What nothing to say?” Frank taunts holding the mouthpiece close to Cassandra’s face. “Open wide bitch.”
King defiantly keeps Cassandra’s mouth shut, staring at the Illuminati agents with hatred and fear in his eyes.
The silent goon appears in her field of view bending over one gloved hand holds an electrode.
“Well I’ve something to say.” Frank the goon leans close. “You are who we say you are.” At those words the silent goons injects the sedative into Cassandra’s neck.
RELEASE
As the needle sinks in, Cass fights fruitlessly against her bonds, and then once again, goes limp and sags forward.
Edith’s team springs into action pulling all the wires off and removing her from the chair taking her back to the Morninglight room with its cloying floral scent. The shackles are secured again and she draped into the chair but as if fallen over. Her face is laid onto the end table directly where Frank had slapped her. Edith waits the few moments looking for signs she is rousing. She rushes over and lifts Cassandra upright. “Oh are you okay? You must have fainted Sister.”
“Well I’ve something to say.” Frank the goon leans close. “You are who we say you are.” At those words the silent goons injects the sedative into Cassandra’s neck.
RELEASE
As the needle sinks in, Cass fights fruitlessly against her bonds, and then once again, goes limp and sags forward.
Edith’s team springs into action pulling all the wires off and removing her from the chair taking her back to the Morninglight room with its cloying floral scent. The shackles are secured again and she draped into the chair but as if fallen over. Her face is laid onto the end table directly where Frank had slapped her. Edith waits the few moments looking for signs she is rousing. She rushes over and lifts Cassandra upright. “Oh are you okay? You must have fainted Sister.”
After rounds of sedatives and triggers and more, Cassandra is exhausted. She allows Edith to move her upright. “Just - make it stop. Please.” She says, quietly, pitifully.
“You can stop this anytime you want Cassy. With our love.”
“You can stop this anytime you want Cassy. With our love.”
Cassandra allows her chin to fall back onto her chest and just stares down at her feet, trying to gather her thoughts. Why is thinking so slow? Wasn’t she in the Q&A room? Or... This doesn’t make sense. She thinks, fleetingly, before it vanishes.
TRIGGER
Edith leans close and says. “Dawn is breaking, lion cub.”
TRIGGER
Edith leans close and says. “Dawn is breaking, lion cub.”
Cassandra’s features sharpen, harden with King’s skepticism. He’s just as confused as she is as he realizes that they’re back in the “Morninglight center”. He simply stares at you, and waits for you to speak.
“She collapsed and was disoriented. How did that feel? I think you might want to reprioritize your thinking. She’s failing and is going to take you with her unless you let us help.”
“Save the host. And save me. I’ll... do whatever it takes.” King sets Cassandra’s jaw firmly.
“Her mentation is rejecting your pattern. Marquard was always doubtful it would be stable. He barely approved the project.”
“This is why the Dawnbreak is necessary. To do the things that the Morninglight feared. I should be so deeply embedded - she shouldn’t be rejecting me.” King taps his foot, anxious. “But I am, you son of a bitch.” She says, and her face contorts in surprise.
“Are you really?” She looks doubtful. “What did the Illuminati do to her head?”
“I don’t know, but it’s working.” King growls, and jerks his head to the side like he’s trying to get water out of one ear. Then, the Knight-Captain’s chin drops to her chest. “I am a lion of the Templars. I will not falter. I am a Lion of the Templars. I will not falter. I am a lion of -”
“Do you hear yourself babbling that Templar chant. You are a child of the light!”
“Do you hear yourself babbling that Templar chant. You are a child of the light!”
“I am Ezekiel King!” He attempts to roar. “I will not be - I am a Lion of the Templars.” Cass strains against her restraints, and then suddenly stands and attempts to swing the chair into Edith as a clumsy attack backed with strength and surprise.
Edith takes the blow letting it knock her away. “You’re a failed experiment King. Marquard knows this. THEY know this, you’ve failed them and they won’t save you now.” She keeps up her berating speech. “She is going to know our love but not you.”
“No! I am - I am Cassandra HAVELOCK! I am a LION of the TEMPLARS!” Cass lets out one last defiant bellow, and then falls forward, still restrained in the chair, unconscious.
REST
Knight-Captain Havelock, having shouted her victory and still chained the chair, slumps forward onto the carpet - unconscious and exhausted.
Quickly the team retrieves her returning her to the Q&A room. This time she is only secured enough to keep her from falling out. An IV of dextrose and vitamins is inserted into her hand, and she is left to rest and for the drugs to wear off. When she rouses the two masked goons will still be present.
She lifts her head and blinks at both of them, feeling somewhat rested. “...Did I fall asleep?” She asks after a long pause, blinking and trying to clear her head.
The door opens and Edith strides in her full Illuminati uniform and mask closing the door behind her.
“In a way you did.” Her voice is obviously distorted by her mask. “How do you feel Knight Captain?” She walks forward to stand over Cassandra.
“...Tired. Like I just ran a marathon through a haunted house while being chased by Lilith herself.”
“I understand. What do you remember?” She moves and speaks clinically, pulling a pen light from a pocket and flashes it in each eye giving her a pupillary response test.
Cass blinks at the light. “I... remember... a Morninglight room. Like, I guess I was dreaming. Or something. A priestess talking to me. I remember... Ezekiel King’s voice. Maybe coming from a PA or something? She was threatening me, but she was also threatening him.” She shakes her head. “I don’t know. It’s blurry.”
“Good, good.” She nods and steps back. “Your case is very complex, and this process will be difficult and taxing. I wanted to introduce myself to you as I am currently in charge of this procedure.”
“I’d shake your hand, but...” Cass laughs nervously. “So you think we’ll be done like, tomorrow? Day after that? Like, can’t take more than a week, right?”
“I wish it were that simple Knight Captain. Yes I think that we can get your screws tightened enough to certify you as field safe fairly quickly, but I fear this event may haunt you more than you might think.”
“...I see.” Cass leans her head back. “Well. Thank you for helping me regardless. I... I really do appreciate it.”
“I was asked to take over your recovery. There are people who care for you and they wanted the best person they knew to see to it.” She reaches up and pulls her mask off revealing her impossibly blue eyes and face to Cassandra. “I’m Edith Kemp of the Illuminati and we are going to get to know each other very well.”
Upon seeing Edith’s face, Cassandra presses back in the chair like she’s trying to phase through the damn thing. “The Morning-!” and then she relaxes. “...It’s nice to finally meet you, Ms. Kemp. You - You were the Morninglight sister? The priestess? That was you?”
Edith only nods, clipping her mask to her belt. “We had to give the implanted personality a safe place to reveal itself. It had to be believable. Since it is in no small part linked to you, YOU had to believe it too.”
“...You are so damn lucky I know Sarah and Blake would both vouch for you and your methods, or I’d be trying to get out of this chair and punch you in your face.” Cass mutters. “You have no idea how fucking scared I was. Believable? It was... yeah, you fuckin’ scored on that point.”
Edith just looks down at her coolly. “Keep that temper Knight Captain. Strong emotions can be useful when thinking your way out of a situation is impossible.” She raises a hand signalling the two goons. “We are done for today Knight Captain.I suggest you get some rest.” She turns to the goons. “Return her to her quarters gently and see she is not disturbed until she wakens naturally.”
“So this is going to take more than a fuckin’ week, isn’t it.” Cass sighs as the goons get her out of the chair. “Please tell me it’s all uphill from here.”
“I’ll be happy to tell you whatever you want to hear Knight Captain.” Her lips threaten to slide up on one side into a half smirk.
Cass tries to turn, as if she has something more to say to Edith, but the goons take her by the elbows and gently lead her out of the room.
Edith watches the door close and her eyes narrow as she considers all the possibilities before her. Yes, this will be an interesting challenge.
Knight-Captain Havelock, having shouted her victory and still chained the chair, slumps forward onto the carpet - unconscious and exhausted.
Quickly the team retrieves her returning her to the Q&A room. This time she is only secured enough to keep her from falling out. An IV of dextrose and vitamins is inserted into her hand, and she is left to rest and for the drugs to wear off. When she rouses the two masked goons will still be present.
She lifts her head and blinks at both of them, feeling somewhat rested. “...Did I fall asleep?” She asks after a long pause, blinking and trying to clear her head.
The door opens and Edith strides in her full Illuminati uniform and mask closing the door behind her.
“In a way you did.” Her voice is obviously distorted by her mask. “How do you feel Knight Captain?” She walks forward to stand over Cassandra.
“...Tired. Like I just ran a marathon through a haunted house while being chased by Lilith herself.”
“I understand. What do you remember?” She moves and speaks clinically, pulling a pen light from a pocket and flashes it in each eye giving her a pupillary response test.
Cass blinks at the light. “I... remember... a Morninglight room. Like, I guess I was dreaming. Or something. A priestess talking to me. I remember... Ezekiel King’s voice. Maybe coming from a PA or something? She was threatening me, but she was also threatening him.” She shakes her head. “I don’t know. It’s blurry.”
“Good, good.” She nods and steps back. “Your case is very complex, and this process will be difficult and taxing. I wanted to introduce myself to you as I am currently in charge of this procedure.”
“I’d shake your hand, but...” Cass laughs nervously. “So you think we’ll be done like, tomorrow? Day after that? Like, can’t take more than a week, right?”
“I wish it were that simple Knight Captain. Yes I think that we can get your screws tightened enough to certify you as field safe fairly quickly, but I fear this event may haunt you more than you might think.”
“...I see.” Cass leans her head back. “Well. Thank you for helping me regardless. I... I really do appreciate it.”
“I was asked to take over your recovery. There are people who care for you and they wanted the best person they knew to see to it.” She reaches up and pulls her mask off revealing her impossibly blue eyes and face to Cassandra. “I’m Edith Kemp of the Illuminati and we are going to get to know each other very well.”
Upon seeing Edith’s face, Cassandra presses back in the chair like she’s trying to phase through the damn thing. “The Morning-!” and then she relaxes. “...It’s nice to finally meet you, Ms. Kemp. You - You were the Morninglight sister? The priestess? That was you?”
Edith only nods, clipping her mask to her belt. “We had to give the implanted personality a safe place to reveal itself. It had to be believable. Since it is in no small part linked to you, YOU had to believe it too.”
“...You are so damn lucky I know Sarah and Blake would both vouch for you and your methods, or I’d be trying to get out of this chair and punch you in your face.” Cass mutters. “You have no idea how fucking scared I was. Believable? It was... yeah, you fuckin’ scored on that point.”
Edith just looks down at her coolly. “Keep that temper Knight Captain. Strong emotions can be useful when thinking your way out of a situation is impossible.” She raises a hand signalling the two goons. “We are done for today Knight Captain.I suggest you get some rest.” She turns to the goons. “Return her to her quarters gently and see she is not disturbed until she wakens naturally.”
“So this is going to take more than a fuckin’ week, isn’t it.” Cass sighs as the goons get her out of the chair. “Please tell me it’s all uphill from here.”
“I’ll be happy to tell you whatever you want to hear Knight Captain.” Her lips threaten to slide up on one side into a half smirk.
Cass tries to turn, as if she has something more to say to Edith, but the goons take her by the elbows and gently lead her out of the room.
Edith watches the door close and her eyes narrow as she considers all the possibilities before her. Yes, this will be an interesting challenge.