![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
nekonexus.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
if_i_traceSteve pays a visit to Kurosai Inc.
~*~*~
"Officer... Garrett, was it?"
Steve nodded slightly. The executive seated behind the desk glanced down at his paperwork again, almost dismissively. Steve tried not to grind his teeth.
"What brings you to Kurosai today?"
Leaning back in his chair, Steve considered the large caucasian man for a moment. "There was a hit-and-run accident three nights ago, involving one of your projects."
"Oh?" the man replied. He had yet to introduce himself properly, though the Asian assistant who had ushered Steve in had addressed him as Mollan-san. "Why has it taken you several days to report this?"
"The accident induced amnesia. It took some time to detect his status and origin." It felt strangely unsettling to refer to Val like property. But he was, to Kurosai. The question was, why had they let their property go wandering around freely?
"Ah," Mollan murmured, reaching to tap his computer screen. "What is the ID number?"
"GK49721-93."
Mollan's hand moved to the desk without entering the number on the touch-screen. "Ah," he said again. "That one." Turning a beady-eyed gaze directly on Steve, he added, "We would appreciate it if you would release that one and allow it to continue its... journey."
Steve frowned. "I must admit I'm a little surprised by your lack of concern."
The executive shrugged one massive shoulder. "There is a point, Officer Garrett, at which the laboratory setting reaches the limit of its usefulness. In such cases, to move beyond the experiential plateau, a new environment must be created or provided."
"You turned him loose to collect data on how he reacts to a larger environment?" That pissed him off, somehow, but he didn't stop to examine the idea.
"Precisely. And although I'm certain police custody provides intriguing data, several days worth would be redundant."
Which meant that Mollan hadn't stopped to check exactly what data they had received. "How old is this project?" Steve asked.
The executive's puffy eyelids fluttered briefly wider. "That information is classified. Perhaps if you would explain your reasoning?"
Steve tried not to sigh. "Basic vital stats are a standard part of the case file. Makes the paperwork easier. We haven't been able to fill in many of his details."
He paused, and Mollan murmured, "I see," but did not volunteer any further information. Narrowing his eyes a little in annoyance, Steve continued, "Would it be possible to speak to the engineers involved in the project?"
"We do not grant spontaneous interviews," Mollan said flatly.
"Fair enough," Steve replied, forcing himself to smile. "As I said, it would simply help with some of the tedious details of the investigation."
Mollan grunted a non-reply and dropped his gaze to his desk. "Is there anything else?"
"The amnesia... might make it somewhat difficult for him to function in society." Why weren't they concerned about it? Surely it was flawed data?
"Ah. I will have the engineers send a reset signal. It should restore his functions to pre-incident levels."
Why had they not already done so? Forcing his jaw to unclench, Steve bit back his first reply and said, "Wouldn't that erase any possibility of retrieving the data related to the incident?"
Mollan considered him for a moment. "And in the interest of your investigation...."
"In the interest of our investigation, we would appreciate any assistance Kurosai might be able to offer."
There was a long silence, during which both men studied each other. Eventually, Mollan inclined his head ever so slightly.
"I cannot give you access to the data. I can, however, reassure you that his mind will heal, just as his body does, without intercession. We will continue our monitoring and policy of non-interference. Acceptable terms, Officer?"
"Thank you for your cooperation," Steve replied, rising from his chair.
Back in his car, he was about to call Shaunasee when the panic button chirped. The GPS unit on his dash displayed the coordinates simultaneously. Val was still at the mall, or at least the pager was. Flicking ash from his cigarette, he accelerated harder than he needed to and aimed the car like a bullet down the road.
~*~*~
>>
~*~*~
"Officer... Garrett, was it?"
Steve nodded slightly. The executive seated behind the desk glanced down at his paperwork again, almost dismissively. Steve tried not to grind his teeth.
"What brings you to Kurosai today?"
Leaning back in his chair, Steve considered the large caucasian man for a moment. "There was a hit-and-run accident three nights ago, involving one of your projects."
"Oh?" the man replied. He had yet to introduce himself properly, though the Asian assistant who had ushered Steve in had addressed him as Mollan-san. "Why has it taken you several days to report this?"
"The accident induced amnesia. It took some time to detect his status and origin." It felt strangely unsettling to refer to Val like property. But he was, to Kurosai. The question was, why had they let their property go wandering around freely?
"Ah," Mollan murmured, reaching to tap his computer screen. "What is the ID number?"
"GK49721-93."
Mollan's hand moved to the desk without entering the number on the touch-screen. "Ah," he said again. "That one." Turning a beady-eyed gaze directly on Steve, he added, "We would appreciate it if you would release that one and allow it to continue its... journey."
Steve frowned. "I must admit I'm a little surprised by your lack of concern."
The executive shrugged one massive shoulder. "There is a point, Officer Garrett, at which the laboratory setting reaches the limit of its usefulness. In such cases, to move beyond the experiential plateau, a new environment must be created or provided."
"You turned him loose to collect data on how he reacts to a larger environment?" That pissed him off, somehow, but he didn't stop to examine the idea.
"Precisely. And although I'm certain police custody provides intriguing data, several days worth would be redundant."
Which meant that Mollan hadn't stopped to check exactly what data they had received. "How old is this project?" Steve asked.
The executive's puffy eyelids fluttered briefly wider. "That information is classified. Perhaps if you would explain your reasoning?"
Steve tried not to sigh. "Basic vital stats are a standard part of the case file. Makes the paperwork easier. We haven't been able to fill in many of his details."
He paused, and Mollan murmured, "I see," but did not volunteer any further information. Narrowing his eyes a little in annoyance, Steve continued, "Would it be possible to speak to the engineers involved in the project?"
"We do not grant spontaneous interviews," Mollan said flatly.
"Fair enough," Steve replied, forcing himself to smile. "As I said, it would simply help with some of the tedious details of the investigation."
Mollan grunted a non-reply and dropped his gaze to his desk. "Is there anything else?"
"The amnesia... might make it somewhat difficult for him to function in society." Why weren't they concerned about it? Surely it was flawed data?
"Ah. I will have the engineers send a reset signal. It should restore his functions to pre-incident levels."
Why had they not already done so? Forcing his jaw to unclench, Steve bit back his first reply and said, "Wouldn't that erase any possibility of retrieving the data related to the incident?"
Mollan considered him for a moment. "And in the interest of your investigation...."
"In the interest of our investigation, we would appreciate any assistance Kurosai might be able to offer."
There was a long silence, during which both men studied each other. Eventually, Mollan inclined his head ever so slightly.
"I cannot give you access to the data. I can, however, reassure you that his mind will heal, just as his body does, without intercession. We will continue our monitoring and policy of non-interference. Acceptable terms, Officer?"
"Thank you for your cooperation," Steve replied, rising from his chair.
Back in his car, he was about to call Shaunasee when the panic button chirped. The GPS unit on his dash displayed the coordinates simultaneously. Val was still at the mall, or at least the pager was. Flicking ash from his cigarette, he accelerated harder than he needed to and aimed the car like a bullet down the road.
~*~*~
>>
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2005-11-20 11:55 pm (UTC)*wibbling*
Oh, why do I think the reset signal is a Bad Thing?
More please!
no subject
Date: 2005-11-21 12:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-11-21 03:04 am (UTC)Have I mentioned that I love this fic? I do, I do.
*nudging you back to your 'puter*
Stop reading your email and write more! *beaming*
no subject
Date: 2005-11-21 05:12 pm (UTC)ahem. Yes. Expect another chapter tonight-ish. Twincest!
It's hit the snowball point (this fic, I mean), and I'm trying to keep up and not lose threads as it rolls. o.O;
no subject
Date: 2005-11-21 08:43 pm (UTC)*kicks LJ too* I'm sure there's a reason they did whatever technogizmo shit, but damn, it's only been a pain in my ass thus far.
*bounces happily, and dashes off to check my flist for another chapter*
no subject
Date: 2005-11-22 12:03 am (UTC)it's up now. ^_^
no subject
Date: 2005-11-21 06:32 am (UTC)Gotta say the last line of this *kills* me with how pretteh it is.
Coherent, detailed review...later. ^_~
no subject
Date: 2005-11-21 05:10 pm (UTC)and thank you! ^__^