so, where is the Duke, exactly? (part CXLIV)

(Roleplay entry. Continued from part CXLIII.)

Emilly nodded slowly. "Yes..." she murmured, and heard the door iris open behind her.



Justine and Rusty walked into the containment pod.

"It is creepy," Hiro was saying. "Is this related to the mind flayers?"

Emilly tsked. "Oh, dear." Peering through the misted glass she added, "It could be..."

Justine stepped up to the box. "There are similarities between the creature and the visitors."

Emilly moved to the controls on the containment cell. "Fairly sure there are connects to sample the atmosphere without opening the cell, but not sure about taking physical samp--"



Her voice cut out as Hiro pulled out a gun and started shooting at the containment cell.

"Hiro!"

"Wait! No!" Justine wailed, ducking ricochets.

"Containment is solid," Hiro said, holstering his pistol, oblivious to the panic he'd just caused. He stepped up to the cell--and through the supposedly solid field.



"Ah, [f*ck]. Help."

Emilly and Justine ran to the cell, shouting. From inside, Hiro beat on the now-solid containment field.

Justine ran to the control panel and started mashing buttons. "Hiro!!!"



Inside the cell, Hiro was alternating between wrestling with the creature and trying to get out. "Ahhhhhhhhhhh...[f******k]...help."



Seeing an opportunity, Justine grabbed Hiro by the tail and pulled, getting him clear. Falling to the floor Hiro started throwing up, gasping for breath. "Uh, [f*ck]."

Emilly looked over at him. "Are--you--okay?"

"Uh I...uh...[f*ck]...I need to get to sick bay."



Speaking into her wrist com, Justine called for a hover bed from medical. "It's on its way. Hang in there, Hiro."

(Continued in part CXLV.)