finalflight | OPEN POST; [ DR. MARTIN BRENNER / STRANGER THINGS ]

And why would I do that? I suppose you could confirm it with Henry yourself if you wanted, but he might kill you for it.

[WHERE COULD HE BE, INDEED. Alec would have to really be diligent about tracing it back, and it seems like the "signal" seems to bounce around from three different locations: Hawkins, Indiana (the least surprising of any of these), or a weirdly remote location out in the Nevada desert, or equally weird, somewhere in Illinois? Does he wanna focus on any of these over the others?]

Tell me, Mr. Brennan, do you believe that things well beyond our human comprehension might exist in the universe? Because you will find that Henry is one such example, and you would do well to tread carefully around him. I want to take him off your hands, and return to him to his proper family. Even if I know he won't want that.

[ He's got time. (He can also see where Henry gets his penchant to monologue.) Still, he'll start with his own proverbial back yard first. Then Hawkins. Nevada last if he has to but, he doubts it. ]

"well beyond our human comprehension"? now you're starting to sound like a whack-job.

[Hawkins and Nevada would ping some very interesting information: old lab files, old experiments if he really started digging. But nothing that would really lead to Brenner's location right now.

So Alec is smart enough to start in his own backyard. Smart to assume that the government would not simply text and ask nicely to have their property returned without taking initiative first. Because, just outside Chicago city limits, there's a signal that is far more "active" in the present, at least when new texts come through.

~~also why do all of his runaways end up in or near this city~~]

You can choose to believe me or not, but you really do have a ticking time bomb on your hands. In fact, I'm inclined to say he's not even human at this point, but I suppose you won't believe that, either.

You're a mercenary, aren't you? At least, according to what I've managed to glean. And all mercenaries have their price. If wanting to return a troubled man back to people who can help him isn't motivation enough for a bleeding heart.

[The implication being, What do you want in exchange for Henry? If this can be resolved without fuss, then all the better.]

[ Oh, there you are. He's going to spend a little time zeroing in on that. There's also enough of a pause to really make it seem like Alec is thinking about it. Also, thanks Brenner for letting him know just what all the government does and doesn't know about him. ]

NOW you're talking my language. what's your offer?

[It'll still take a bit of finagling, but eventually the signal leads to... an old abandoned warehouse? How cliche, right.]

Name your price. I can make it happen.

sky's the limit, huh? who knew henry had family in such high places.

[ Maybe... casually pokes his head in the next room and calls a certain BIRD away from bothering a certain psychic. No biggie.

As far as the magically-inclined crow flies, the warehouse probably isn't far. Alec isn't one for jumping in blind, and so he'll send Tempest ahead to do some recon. What's she see when she gets there? ]

[The certain psychic probably very much appreciates it. THANK GOD JUST LET HIM DRAW.

As for the warehouse, though. It is a tall, decrepit-looking structure, with boarded-up windows and creaky fire escapes. From the outside it doesn't look like anything special, and there are plenty of cracked window panes for a certain birb to slip inside, if she so desired. And within... more abandoned spaces, broken down furniture, plenty of dust and detritus, and graffitied walls from hoodlums long past.

Of course, that can't possibly be all. There is one dead giveaway that something isn't quite as it seems: a collection of black, unmarked vans lined up along the street. They just reek of government meddling.

So, surely there's a presence somewhere. Henry did mention that his old lab was underground, after all. It's not too unreasonable to think there may be a door leading to stairwell downwards, somewhere...

Anyway, he's still getting messages:]

What father wouldn't do everything in his power to keep his children safe? Even if that means protecting him from himself.

not that i care all that much one way or another, but you're really sure you've got the right guy? sure henry's kind of
weird
but dangerous?

[ Sorry Henry, he loves you so much.

And, yeah. Temp is going to poke around until she finds a way down. Being able to turn into clouds is great for getting under doors. ]

[Yeah, but Henry is a weirdo, though. All the kids at the lab are -- well, were. Before he murdered almost all of them. :))) What a waste of time and resources.]

I have a very hard time believing that you haven't clued in on anything strange about him, Mr. Brennan. He was never the sort to rein in his impulses when his emotions got in the way.

[Trust him!

Turning into clouds is just the way to sneak under the door, of course, and down, down a long, cold stairwell that leads towards... another door, with a keypad. And after that, non-descript elevator leading further downwards.

Is cloud!Tempest going to follow that elevator shaft down?]

we don't talk a whole lot. was i supposed to be keeping tabs on the guy?

[ LYING LIAR WHO LIES.

Temp is going all the way until she finds the man himself. Just a dark little cloud slipping through the shadows. ]

Then why did you take him in? Don't tell me it was out of the kindness of your own heart.

[YOU LYING LIAR... A question for a question. Seems strange, for a mercenary. Where's the benefit for Alec?

The elevator, were it actually traversing to the bottom, would open up to a long, wide hall. The difference is stark down here—it’s clear the government has been doing some set-up and rearranging with the place; maybe for the sake of surveillance, but probably not, given all the effort—and the vibe is a cross between industrial and research-oriented. A few rooms with monitors hum dully, interspersed down the corridor. At the end, the area opens up to a large circular room with what only can be described as a big, metal tank in the center. Around that, a set of metal stairs leading to an upper “floor” with a smaller room, and within that, more monitors. And Brenner himself, seated before them, continuing his communique with Alec.

But all along this path, from the elevator all the way to Brenner, are plenty of security guards, with rather impressive firearms, standing stolid and aware at their stations. Researchers interspersed here and there along the way, too. Of course he wouldn’t be alone.]

maybe i hoped there would be a nice paycheck in it for me somehow. speaking of, do i have like an upper limit or-?

[ No, he didn't suspect that he'd be alone. He wouldn't be able to take Henry back all by himself, after all. He'd need backup. He'd need muscle.

Okay, but, one: how close is the nearest guard to Brenner's office? And two: can anyone on the outside of the room see inside? ]

[There are two guards, actually, stationed at the bottom of the metal stairs that lead up to upper area. And Brenner's office is really less an office and more of an observational platform, with large windows that face outward to oversee the floor below.

So, yes, anyone can crane their heads up and see inside from below, albeit from an awkward angle. Up the stairs, and the doorway's open for anyone to walk in if they could make there in the first place.]

That depends. Is money all you really want? Don't your types also deal in information? In data? I can appreciate that; and I can accommodate, too, to a certain degree.

[ Well damn. Alright. Time to see how far he can push his luck. ]

holy shit, you guys really built a whole facility down here, didn't you? was the warehouse too dusty for you?

[Brenner has to stare at that reply for a moment, frowning. He tilts his gaze up to look out those wide windows, but there doesn't appear to be anything amiss -- which, as his experience will tell him, does not mean there isn't.

A muscle ticks in his jaw. No, nothing would be able to trace them down here that fast, and with nothing to go on; and even from a visual standpoint, their security cameras are on a closed system, anyhow.]

What are you talking about?

[ Is that a little shadow hanging out in some corner above Brenner? Watching? ]

what's the matter, doc? did i spook you?

[Would Brenner notice it? Is the little shadow still being subtle and sneaky?]

Mr. Brennan, whatever it is you think you're doing, it would be in your best interest to stop and reconsider your position.

you first.

[ It was being sneaky, but now it's not. The shadow grows and roils, a storm manifesting overhead with a low, ominous roll of thunder. In a matter of moments, it takes over the space, crowds against windows, blots out the doorway, and reaches down like a living thing, down down down toward Brenner. In that swirl of blackness and motion and the sound of beating wings, Alec is suddenly there. Real enough to snap a hand out and catch the doctor by the front of his shirt. ]

Boo.

[ And then they're both gone, whisked away with a final crack of thunder to somewhere else, leaving only silence and a gently swaying, empty chair behind. Away from the guards and the cameras and the whatever the hell else, to little abandoned building of Alec's own, someplace where he can do his dirty work undisturbed.

It's probably more than a little disorienting, getting suddenly swept away in a literal storm of magic. Alec makes it no better by tossing the good doctor aside the moment they're both solid enough. The blackness coalesces on Alec's shoulder in the form of Temp, watching with luminous, keenly intelligent eyes. ]

Edited 2023-02-26 06:28 (UTC)

[In the studio the next room over, Henry hears a familiar sound of low, rumbling thunder.

Huh. Where's Alec running off to?

Eh it's probably fine.]

[Since the start of Project Indigo, he’s borne witness to many strange, strange things, all of which grew progressively more disturbing and thus, scientifically more interesting, in parallel. A swirling black darkness? Well, that’s old news. He’s seen such things overtake people and monsters alike, though the results were never particularly kind.

He can’t say the results are particularly kind this time, either. The sound of beating wings is new, though, but there’s no time for either that cold, scientific curiosity to swell in Brenner, nor the more worrisome sense of alarm that could be garnered from the experience as a whole. No, he’s just swallowed up by that darkness overtaking everything, and then gone.

Until solid ground finds him again, as he’s tossed to the floor and lands hard on his side and shoulder, letting out a startled grunt amid a sharp exhale — it practically knocks the wind out of him, and the disorientation doesn’t help. Still, he’s a stubborn man, and seen and faced down things that have wanted to maim or kill him before; and he pushes himself up by the palms, eyes fixed on Alec.

Dim recognition flickers. Alec can guess that he’s already familiar with his face. The bird is… unexpected, though. Did it just coalesce from that darkness?

What the hell is going on.]

…Well. If you wanted a face-to-face, you should have just said so.

[ Well, doc. There are always stranger things out there.

Alec watches as keenly as ever as Brenner tries to push himself up, and he sees that little flash of recognition. Ah. He's going to have his work cut out for him after this, isn't he? ]

I'm the kind of guy who likes to set my own meetings. Besides, I'm really not a fan of people in big, unmarked SUVs.

Edited (noticed a typo sssh) 2023-02-26 07:36 (UTC)

[Brenner manages to ease himself up on his feet if given the opportunity, ignoring how sore his side feels from the rather unceremonious throw. He scoffs, though a smile still pinches as his expression, hiding anything else beneath — and he must be hiding quite a bit, given the situation he now finds himself in.]

Doing some surveillance yourself, then? Do we have your… little Corvus friend there to thank for that? How interesting.

Edited (repetition my old nemesis) 2023-02-26 07:44 (UTC)

[ Alec and "his little Corvus friend" exchange a brief look, one of Alec's eyebrows arching. The crow caws abruptly, loudly. A corvid guffaw. Apparently that's a yes. ]

You're not gonna go all mad scientist on me, are you? I don't really have the time. I just wanna know how much you know and be home in time for dinner.

[It’s his turn to arch a brow, though he does cast his look around their surroundings first—where are they?—before he settles his eyes on Alec again.]

How much I know? About what? You?

[A huff of laughter.]

Alexander Brennan. Blackmailer and hacker extraordinaire, right? Your “mercenary” work deals with the less scrupulous sorts, but isn’t that just how mercenary life is? I admit, I’m not terribly familiar myself.

[He gestures at him.]

Why? Are you worried? Is that what this is about? I promise you, whatever sordid history or further… tricks up your sleeve you so obviously possess, all of that pales in comparison to getting Henry back. Frankly, I don’t care about the skeletons in your closet if you can give me what I want.

[A lying liar. What did he just do? Why the animal? Of course he cares now.]

Ooh. "Extraordinaire." I hope that's in all your files.

[ That it's in there at all annoys him, but hey. At this moment, it's not the point. ]

Also, don't you lie to me, doc. Don't think I don't notice you looking at me and my little friend here like the next thing you wanna slap a number on and keep locked away in your fancy underground fortress. The point is that I'm not giving you anything. Least of all Henry.

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1/2 the not serious tag

the serious tag

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