maskormenace | more chance of reanimating this scalpel than mending a broken nervous system

[[Please see this post about what this job/plot entails before volunteering.]]

[The video display comes on to show the two thirty-something men sitting side by side on the couch, talking to each other. The shorter of the two men (Newt) is trying to straighten out or balance the phone/camera while his attention is on the taller (Hermann). Behind them is a slate black wall with chalk scribbles: a cutely terrifying Kaiju has destroyed a city of skyscrapers and is threatening a memo about providing a write up for an article along with a few formulaic equations.]

We want to make sure it’s some type of licensed professional, not someone you just-

Hermann, we'll ask them for a resume or something. You can conduct interviews, okay, whatever puts your mind at ease--just let me start this.

[Hermann huffs, grumbling still fully audible as he shoots Newton a look] You’re fortunate I’m even agreeing to this in the first place.

[Newt raises his hands, one coming away from the phone, in a open-handed gesture of surrender? defense? acquiescence?]

You know, as much as I'd like rehash this argument for the billionth time, Hermann, we're on. So, do you want to tell them what we're doing, or should I?

[Cue long-suffering sigh as Hermann eyes the camera with even less favor]

We're looking for a medical professional to hire on a contractual basis. A few hours of work every week for perhaps a few months. The details of which we'd prefer to discuss privately. I understand there are several here with healing abilities, but we're looking for a few specific skills and some form of legitimacy. As such, we'll be screening candidates on a case by case basis.

[In a not very hushed tone to Hermann] I know you're trying to be secretive, but you're gonna have to be a little specific. Medical professional is a pretty broad category.

You're the biologist Newton, and this is your 'project'. I expect you know better than I do what precisely you're going to need.

You’re the one who wanted a ‘medical professional’ on board. This is therefore your part of the project.

Yes, because you need one. [The way he emphasizes it hints at countless arguments along that vein alone. Next to him, Newt flops back into the sofa, slumped, arms crossed over his chest and glaring at Hermann, the epitome of 'moody teenager,' very much 'I'm here under protest.' But back to the camera]

Extensive knowledge of human anatomy, surgical experience, familiarity with radiology preferable.. Official certification or a list of references should suffice.

Really, we just need someone willing to hand Hermann a barf bag. Maybe hold his hand a little.

[Oh yes, the sourest of glowering]

Forgive me if I do not share your fascination with biology, but if I left you to your own devices, you'd be attempting this on your own with absolutely no fail-safes again.

[Newt purses his lips and looks a little guilty. After a second, he sits up, and the way his expression and voice soften at Hermann, maybe he's forgotten they have an audience.] It's not-- It won't be like that, okay? [Clears throat, and there he is, that grating voice is back.] I mean, you're totally NOT leaving me to my own devices. You're butting in all over.

[The set of Hermann's shoulders relax a little, but his expression doesn't really change]

Of course not. [Right, camera]..Inquiries will be responded to through private channels, if that's all?

[Last chance to speak up Newton] Nah, it’s your project, man. [Though he says it with a smile. It’s definitely different than the semi-accusation of before.]

[That's definitely not a twitch of a smile in return. Just more grumbling as Hermann reaches out to switch the feed off]

An on-going project: ensuring some level of responsibility-

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It never hurts to expand your horizons.

As for references, you can speak with Norman Osborn, Gazelle, or Doctor Frederick Chilton. They've all either read my reports or seen my research first hand. Unfortunately, the closest I've come to helping imPorts themselves is a blood drive I ran a few months back.

[ She debates for a moment, letting them in on what she's been up to. If only because she doesn't want it to escape into the general population before it's truly come to fruition. But if she's going to earn herself any credits here, she figures she does have to let them in at least a little. ]

That isn't to say I haven't been helping others. Non-imPorts. On a completely voluntary basis.

[Chilton. And they didn't mesh well with Osborn, either. But they can't afford to judge the woman based on the names of her references- at least until they know what sort of work she's done for them. Not that he's going to even entertain the idea of following up with Chilton.]

What sort of work have you taken up with the resident population?

[ Good. Chilton's opinion is totally biased anyway what with being her boyfriend and all!

She holds up her index finger. Ah ah ah. Too much, too fast. She can't be the only one exposing herself here. ]

Before I go into the details of my projects, I would like to know a little more about what you're aiming to do. It would be a shame to risk exposure of my work to the public if we turn out to be incompatible. You understand, of course. Us scientists are a secretive lot until the time is right to share.

I'm not asking for the full details, of course. Just an idea so that I can figure out which areas of my research and work are best to describe.

[...Chilton scares Newt. Maybe more than Crane does. Given that, Newt is a little less forgiving in regard to judging based on named references than Hermann, but he's also got poor self-preservation, so. He glances at Hermann, then continues.]

We'd be testing a regenerative power.

Scientific curiosity, I'm sure you understand. Your work seems rather relevant, Ms...?

Raina. Just Raina.

[ She never knew her family name. ]

Regenerative power is actually what I've been most interested in studying. I've been undergoing procedures to see if we can replicate imPort powers in the non-imPort population with regeneration being at the forefront. I've isolated it down to specific cells and have had some success in creating a serum that will boost immune functions and regeneration temporarily.

The aim is to provide for the US military, giving them a better chance at recovering from wounds and other severe injuries. I'll send you over a few encrypted pictures.

[ And she does. The first image is of the torso of a man suffering from a very fresh, very angry looking gunshot wound. The following picture looks like what a wound would look like after a few days. Closed, red, and swollen. The next image looks progressively better. Red faded to a healing pink, minimal damage. And the final picture is just a faint scar where the initial wound had been. ]

Test subject 002 is a 36 year year old, non-imPort male. Those images are of his healing progress after being injected with an experimental serum. The full process took place in less than 24 hours, and we've been monitoring his vitals to ensure everything is fine. When tested on rodents, the side-effects included rash at the injection site, soreness, nausea, vomitting, and increased aggression. But our human subject has been fine thus far. We've had him under our care for approximately one week now.

[It's impressive work, if not precisely the reason Newton wants to isolate the regenerative property. At the least, it's proof that part can be done.

Hermann spends several minutes looking over the photos, knowing he'd take considerably longer to recover from anything of the sort. Newton, however..]

Fascinating. [The potential side-effects sound pretty worrying, and so is the fact the US government or military is apparently funding it. Would they be as interested in curing diseases? Unlikely]

Well, Miss Raina. You've certainly proven your credentials. We'll be in touch once we've decided when and how we'd like to proceed, if that suits?

Edited 2015-10-12 03:46 (UTC)

Yes, that sounds wonderful. Feel free to contact me at any time. Day or night.

[ She spares a glance between the pair of them. ]

I look forward to hearing from you both.

more chance of reanimating this scalpel than mending a broken nervous system

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