unfringed | File#002 :action

[Not long after this post from the Malnosso's new therapist, there is a huge racket going on at the Welcome Center. His rage at the thought of being taken to therapy and his instability in Luceti has gone over the edge and Walter is screaming and throwing chairs and bed mattresses, lamps and anything else he can get his hands on. The tirade is caught on video as he throws his journal across the room, smashing it into the wall and jolting it on. It shows him upside down.]

I will not go! They can't make me!

Peter! Peter!! [He picks up a glass and smashes it against the far wall.]

Disgusting, dirty, everything is contaminated with their evil! They're watching our every move! Everything we do! Our entire lives - our privacy, our names!

Damn vipers among our ranks and we can't even ferret them out?!

I won't go! I will NOT be taken again!! Peter! You can't let them take me again!

[He grabs a lamp and smashes it against the floor repeatedly.]

I'll find how you watch us and I'll destroy it! I'll find it and destroy it!!!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I've taken samples of hair from several individuals and according to the inmate-created guide, yes. It is standard. A way of them tracking us - like shopping items.

Like cattle.

[A minor correction because that's what it reminds Shepard of. He knows Earth history and he knows what this feels like. He doesn't like it one bit.]

Oh- oh no. I would never have done this to Gene. That's just inhumane.

[Poor Gene. He wonders where she is.]

...But I do understand your comparison, yes. Now do you see? Why I did this?

[... He doesn't even want to ask about Gene.]

Why you decided to shake hands with broken glass? No, I don't understand that.

[So he's looking through his journal for that map that was mentioned before.]

Because--! [He motions at the room.]

Listening devices, monitoring machinery - if any of it were here, it would be in these things. Lamps, outlets, bedding, desks, chairs - but I can't find any of it. Sometimes they are silicon based or clear - bottoms of glass cups, the reverberations would make for a perfect sound conductor. I can't peel the barcode off, but I can hinder their efforts!

You think smashing everything and drawing attention to yourself is going to help? Not to mention your hands are going to be useless for awhile.

Bah! I've worked with worse.

[He waves a hand dismissively.]

Besides. They say everything fixes itself within a day or two. Like it's on some sort of time loop.

[Shepard starts to rub his eyes in both frustration and exasperation. His omni-tool, the one real tool he's had with him since arriving, glows into existence as Shepard starts to type a few things on it.]

Hold out your hands.

[He's got a limited supply of medi-gel, but he really has no time for this shit.]

[What the flying saucer is that.

Walter's attention snaps to and he immediately comes over, reaching for the glowing tool.]

What is that? A holographic display? No - projection screen. Multiple functionality?

It's magic.

[And as soon as Walter is close enough, Shepard grabs one of his wrists and administers that special, super-cool salve to one of his hands.]

[GAH DON'T TOUCH HIM

He jumps and pulls his hands back.]

You tricked me! You-!!

[Oh wait. He looks at his hand and wow, that... Huh. It's healing. Walter goes silent as he pokes and prods at the gel on his hand, watching it seal the wounds.]

Curious...

Sure, let's poke the stuff healing our wounds. That'll help.

[He just sighs and deactivates his omni-tool. You're on your own with the other hand.]

You know, it's been a long day. I'm sure you can find your way back to the padded rooms. I should go.

[Samples. He needs samples. Walter hurries off and grabs a shard of glass from the floor, wipes it against his cotton pants and then carefully shaves a bit of the gel off his hands. He holds it up to the light, examining it with squinted eyes.]

No...I was taken out of the institute a year or two ago. Peter promised I wouldn't be sent back.

This is most curious salve. What is it made from?

[Oh, so he really was in a mental institution. That's just great. Now Shepard has to go back to his room and inwardly question everything he's heard from this guy.]

I don't know. The specifics are above my paygrade. Have a field-day with what you've got there.

Eventually, however, you will run out, won't you?

[He turns the glass and then brings it to his nose, sniffing at it.]

I could synthesize more if I had a lab.

[He just tilts his head and eyes Walter very seriously for a moment. Yes, he'll run out. He's only got about 5 charges on him, including what he used on Walter's hand. Medi-gel isn't exactly common even where he's from, and now he's trapped on an unknown planet without much of a chance to get back to the Normandy.

Without really admitting anything, he just shrugs.]

You probably could. Would be helpful for anyone that needed it considering how backwards this place seems to be.

I would need the proper equipment. A lab - one with constant access. Do you know of one?

[He stops sniffing the substance and instead finds another shard of glass to use as a makeshift slide.]

Hey... [Shepard just holds his hands out on either side of him.] ... you're asking the wrong guy. I just got here, and I don't plan on staying long.

My best guess would be to make a list of equipment that you would need and then forward it to someone who might know how to quietly acquire that equipment.

[Not naming any names.]

You're as incapable of leaving as I am. [He presses the glass together and tries to find clear plastic to cover it with.]

When I find my lab, how shall I contact you?

Communicator.

[Just holds up the communicator... journal. Whatever. They're communicators in his world.

Then he turns to walk away, ignoring that comment about how he's incapable of leaving.]

Alright, Mr. Communicator....

[He doesn't seem to notice the gesture or that Shepard is leaving. He's focused on the makeshift slide he's created, holding it up to the light and turning it this way and that.]

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