Outworld/The Unlocked Archives

Versatile Tools

Author: Pandora Morozov

Pandora, while usually armed with a custom pistol, loved knives. They were versatile, varied and very good at giving her what she wanted. They worked well as threats. Everyone had a deeply rooted fear of getting stabbed or sliced because they would quickly realise how painful it could get. A gun didn't work as well because a bullet lacked the controlled pain she needed. Sure it could cause indescribable pain but it could always end the 'interview' too soon because of bleed-out. Knives you could leave embedded in someone and not have to worry for a while provided it wasn't pulled out. And the cuts didn't have to be deep either.

Knives were good. Which was why she was spending an afternoon with a designer to make the perfect custom blade. One with multiple functions, relatively easy upkeep and looked amazing. And also after strenuous bartering it was a steal.

All in all she was happy with the outcome as she brought the new weapon home in a lovely ornate box which she left on top of the chair a certain Bodyguard preferred in her office.
He could complain all he liked about her causing him grief but it was unfair to say she didn't treat him nicely every once in a while.

The Hardest Decision

Author: Trilogy

What am I doing? This… this has to be done but. I find myself holding back a panic attack as I repeatedly argue to and fro what the results of this will be. It's not the physical dangers that worry me but the mental ones. The emotional ones.

I sit in shivering in silence. It's dark in this room too which only adds to the isolation. From this point on only one other person is going to see me and it hurts so much that it's not the one I want, can't, say goodbye to.

My name is called and brings me back to my surroundings. I get to my feet steadily, feigning determination in everything but my eyes.

"Are you ready?"

I laugh bitterly. "Ready? No… but I'll still do it."

They nod gently. "I understand this will be hard."

No you don't. You just have to forget you did this. I have to forget everything. I have to forget… I halt that thought immediately as they put a hand on my shoulder. Any anger I felt melted away a little, it was hard to be mad at them. They acted almost like a parent would throughout this unhappy experiment.

"Your form." They remind me with a hint of hesitation.

"Right." Of course I don't even get to keep that. With some effort I alter myself. Younger. Some things I keep, like the colour of my eyes. My clothes I had already changed to simple black combats and a tank top. Indicators of my life removed for protection.

"Let's get this over with." I sigh reluctantly and try not to flinch at how I sound now.

They look over me carefully then zone in on my wrist. Holding out their hand they comment. "The bracelet."

I clasp it with my other hand tightly and shake my head firmly. "Not this. This is the only thing I am keeping if I have to give up everything else. I don't care how childish it is. I don't care."

The other sighs then drops their hand away. "Fine… just that."

While their back is turned to lead me I seal the leather strap to my wrist so that only I can remove it, because I genuinely don't trust them not to try and take it out of some misguided desire to protect.

A few moments later I'm lying down, awaiting the procedure. As I'm strapped in I breathe shallowly trying so hard not to cry. It starts. I stop trying. Even when they hold my hand, I cannot stop the tears streaming down my cheeks or the scream building up in my chest as images flash through my mind along with a mantra I can't say aloud anymore. I can't do this. It hurts. I want it to stop. I can't do this, I want it to stop. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. IT. NEEDS. TO. ST-

---

Pandora woke with a start. Her face wet, her throat raw, her entire body covered in goose bumps. Looking around frantically she sees she's still in her room. "Dammit." She sighs and gets out of bed to go shower. From the look of the clock she hadn't got nearly enough sleep but it didn't matter.

In the shower she goes over the dream in her mind and silently curses the Nexus. Before that she had never remembered any of her dreams, never! Now she just had the same one over and over and it was beginning to grate on her exhausted nerves. Whatever was happening, she really hoped would subside soon. It needs to stop.

Advisors Advise

Author: Trilogy

It looked like a bomb had gone off. The living room was such a mess that it was virtually unliveable in the place she called her home. She could fix it but honestly she was past the point of caring.

The blinds were closed in a way to let in only fragments of lights, the ash trays were threatening to spill amongst the mugs of coffee, glasses of alcohol and papers that littered the coffee table. If she were in anyway mortal she'd probably be dead by how many narcotics and stimulants outweighed how little nutritional sustenance she'd actually consumed.

Pandora or whoever this side of the Breach she was meant to be was currently laying on the floor, staring up at the ceiling. Caff-Stim patches adorned her arms as she found it too much effort to drink the liquid variety now. Between staring and breathing shallowly she was using up all the energy she cared to aside from staying awake.

The two sharp knocks on the door barely alerted her to the presence entering her room. It wasn't Talos, or any shaper. If Talos were even allowed in the apartment he'd have had a fit but she had long since banned visitors and declared to her bodyguard she was giving him a 'Well Earned Holiday' as she'd put it. So this must have been one of her realms people, and there was only one who had unhindered access.

The Advisor she had been gifted walked into the room and took in the state of it with a scornful look. "You've been avoiding me."

Pandora chuckled darkly, not moving or looking away from the ceiling. "Have I? I didn't notice."

"You'd be in a better condition now if you'd just talk to me." They stood over the shaper, arms folded. Pandora frowned as they appeared in her sight.

"You aren't a therapist, you don't really need to know about my problems."

"No I'm not a therapist, I'm an advisor." They replied sharply with a heavy dose of patronisation. "And did you know the role of an advisor is to advise on matters? I can't do that if you don't let me."

If only to look away from them, Pandora pulled herself up to lean against the sofa. "Advise away."

"You need sleep."

Pandora finally looked at them properly. They looked strange for someone out of Opportunity. They looked like that time she'd seen a fashion show of Valtarian inspired outfits. Engraved and embossed ornate leather, chainmail, plating; almost all of it was practically designed too.

They reminded her painfully of someone and she couldn't remember who, partially the reason she avoided them. "That's it?"

"You need to sleep for two reasons." They sighed as they crouched down and started removing the patches. "One is so you can finally think with a clear head and rested body."

"My sleep isn't exactly restful right now." Pandora argued. "Ow!"

They had just ripped off a particularly stubborn patch. "The other reason is so you can dream. Those dreams are your memories. Something we both know. You can't deny that."

Pandora reached for a cup of cold coffee only to have her hand stilled by the advisor placing their fingers on the back of it. She was shaking like a leaf.

"I know it's hard and it's only going to get worse before it gets better but you need to face your past and remember."

There was a gentleness under the firm insistence of her Advisor's words that eventually broke her stubbornness. 

She was tired, exhausted even, and finally conceded defeat against her own desire to rest.

The Advisor helped her get to her feet and head to the shower before drying off and climbing into her bed. Her bedroom was the only place that was still tidy, having been avoided for so long. Hesitantly she looked at the Advisor, maybe her memories would unlock a name for her to be called, and opened her mouth to speak.

"I will stay close by for when you wake up." They interrupted her. "Don't worry yourself and rest now."

For a brief moment Pandora wondered if she would struggle to actually drift off but the moment her head touched the pillow she was out like a light.