The Secret Keeper (tentative) - PG-13...for now...

[TheLovecraftFactor]

Well, here I am...yet again... This is the beginning (somewhat) of that story I'm trying to write around the three fragments I saw in my dreams. I don't have a set direction for this story just yet, but I do know: the characters may be OOC, and I've added some liberties concerning the equipment possesed by both the Icarus II and its crew (I personally believed that many of the problems they faced would have never happened if they had certain equipment)...I hope that won't bother anyone...

Anyhoo...this is just a basic, unrefined outline...figured I'd throw it out there...

Prologue: Of Shadows and Secrets

An unknown place, in the middle of the night…

He dreams. He lies about this to others, saying that he doesn’t dream…that he has never dreamed…that he will never dream… It is such an innocuous lie, seemingly of no concern or importance in the greater scheme of things, but it is important…important, and necessary. Necessary, yes, but still: it is a lie nonetheless, and he lives it without hesitation. If others were to ask about what he doesn’t dream about, he would have said that he sees nothing but shadows. They are fragmented visions, formless shapes, mindless gibbering, and they ceaselessly haunt his mind in his sleeping hours…but they are still only harmless shadows…at least for now.

The shadows are not the only inhabitants of his dream world…he also dreams of a Secret. It is powerful…ancient…and his by right of blood. The Secret has revealed itself many times, but only to those of his blood, and even then only at certain times. It knows that the time of its awakening is once again near, and so it reveals itself within the restless dreams of its chosen one. To keep from exposing itself to those unworthy to hear its words, the Secret hides deep within the recesses of his mind during his waking hours, only appearing in his dreams as nothing more than a fleeting, yet peaceful, vision hidden among the madness of his shadows.

A loud sound from outside his dream world jostles him awake and nearly makes him forget all that his mind has just showed him, but he doesn’t mind at all. In fact, he welcomes the distraction, for his shadows were particularly agitated today. He leans back against his bed and, having no real reason to, grins widely. He then mutters something audible only to himself and lies back down. With that smile still on his face, he once again falls asleep…

…And dreams…

Interlude: A Tormented Vision…

The Icarus II, 7:20 a.m.

Today’s Entry:

'I had that strange dream again last night…it’s happening every night now, and I can’t stop it. It has escaped the confines of the night and now torments me in my waking hours… Even now, I see it clearly: standing on the Observation Deck, watching the darkening Sun die right before my eyes…and then I sense, rather than see…it… I have never seen it, but I know it’s there, and that it comes ever closer with each passing night…I fear what will happen when it finally does reach me… The worst part about this dream…is its voice: broken glass and gurgling combined as one. It always says the same thing – asking about some kind of secret, and of the one who holds it. I sense its anger when I don’t answer it, and it rants about how I can’t protect him – whoever ‘he’ is – and as I inquire as to this person’s identity, I always wake up…rather violently.

‘I don’t know what to do anymore. I’m supposed to be an expert on the interpretation of dreams, yet I can’t find the meaning behind my own. This scares me – a lot. Heh…such irony…helping others with their own mental problems but totally unable to deal with mine…some shrink I am…

‘Hmmm…maybe that’s what I need right now: something to distract me from this stupid dream. I know…I have a couple of sessions planned for today…maybe all I need is to listen to someone else’s problems for a while. Okay, who did I have set up to go first…?’

-- Searle

Part I: News From Earth

The Icarus II, 10:25 a.m.

The pleasant female voice of Icarus II cut through the deafening silence of the Stellar Bomb like a knife: Capa, you have forgotten that your daily session with Dr. Searle was scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. It is now 10:25 a.m. Recommended course of action: report immediately to the Earth Room for your appointment with Dr. Searle. Robert Capa frowned deeply, the computer’s voice distracting him from his intense concentration on the notebook he was currently writing in. He knew perfectly well that he had missed his appointment…he didn’t need Icarus to remind him. Besides, he didn’t accidentally forget, it was fully deliberate: he had no intent on ever enduring another one of Searle’s so-called ‘sessions’. In all his previous experiences, these ‘sessions’ primarily consisted of Searle listening silently while you bared your soul for two hours, only to have him make not-so-subtle statements telling you exactly how stupid you sounded. ‘Well, not this time! I’ve had it with sitting through Searle’s long-winded, overblown, pointless sessions. If he doesn’t like it, then he knows exactly what he can go do with himself…’ he thought angrily, ignoring Icarus’ message and again focusing on his notebook.

Icarus, however, would not be denied. She spoke again in her sweet voice, distracting him from his work for a second time: Capa, this is your sixth instance of ignoring your obligations to Dr. Searle. Further derelictions are unwise. Please report to the Earth Room immediately. ‘Go to hell, Icarus,’ Robert thought in annoyance. Before he could verbalize that thought (albeit in a more…polite…way), a loud <beep> echoed throughout the room. Already frustrated by Icarus’ pestering, he turned towards the sound, which came from the locked door that led into this area. Moving over to a nearby surveillance monitor, he activated the camera positioned just outside the door. “Ah, hell…” he groaned when he saw just who was waiting outside. He activated the external speakers with the intention of telling the person off, when he was suddenly beaten to it: “— hiding in there again, Robert!! You can’t avoid me forever, so either come out now or let me in…either way, you’re still going to have to talk to me!!”

Searle. He stood outside the door with his arms crossed and a determined look on his face. ‘He just can’t let go, can he?’ Robert thought bitterly. He kneaded his temples, feeling the start of what would surely become a massive headache pound in the back of his head. Unwilling to deal with this…with him…so early in the morning, he glared at Searle’s image, saying as icily as he could, “I’ve already made my wishes on this very clear, Searle…so for the last time, go away!!” Silence came from the other side the door. It lasted for maybe three or more minutes until Searle’s soft voice echoed through the speakers: “I’m sorry, Robert, but you know I can’t do that. When a member of this crew makes an effort to constantly avoid their mandatory daily sessions with their ship’s doctor, there can only be one possibility: they have something that they don’t want me to know. So, tell me...what exactly are you going through so much trouble to hide from me, Robert?”

Robert wasn’t sure how to respond. ‘He thinks I’m hiding something?! I thought you were smarter than that, Searle,’ he thought incredulously. Out loud, he replied, “Listen to me, Searle –“

Attention, all crew: Report to the Common Area immediately… Transmission from Earth received…briefing to begin shortly. Repeating: Briefing to begin shortly…all crew report to the Common Area immediately…

The voice of Icarus echoed throughout the hollow room long after it finished speaking. Robert groaned outwardly, but was cheering internally. Every week, the scientists of the Icarus Project sent a four-hour long transmission, which briefed the crew of Icarus II on current conditions back on Earth. However, after the first two months, the reports (with their extremely heavy technical jargon) became very tedious, – always saying the same thing over and over – and the crew began to dread their weekly briefings. During one particular instance, the report was so boring that Mace, Harvey, and Cassie actually drifted off to sleep. Corazon got up from her seat and began kickboxing with an invisible opponent. Trey’s attention was now focused on his favorite portable video game unit. Searle took out a piece of paper from his shirt pocket and doodled incessantly on it. Even Captain Kaneda found himself slowly starting to doze (sitting next to Trey and hearing the somehow…relaxing…sounds coming from the video game admittedly wasn’t doing much to help keep him awake, either). And Robert, who enjoyed listening to such conversations, actually found himself deeply irritated by the mind-numbing dullness and repetition of every report…

…But not this time. His mind was only focusing on one thing: no matter how tedious this transmission was going to be, it had become his ‘Get Out of Dr. Searle’s Daily Session Free’ card, and he would happily endure it without complaint. Without realizing it, he smiled widely. From outside the door, Searle sighed deeply. “…I guess we’ll have to continue this later. Let’s go, Robert, everyone’s waiting.” He walked off, headed for the Common Area. Robert waited for a moment to make sure that Searle had really gone, and then unlocked the door and headed there himself.

-- Well, that's the beginning I have so far. I hope it wasn't too boring... I'm looking at the three fragments I've already written and trying to see how this will fit in with them, and vice versa.

[massiefan]

Wow...I like this. You have a nice style of writing; your descriptive work is very impressive. Please do continue, I'd really like to read more!

[Starry_MelC]

So far, I havent drifted off to sleep, or playing my game unit, or doodled or kickboxing (which sounds really cool, BTW)... ;D Looking forward to your next update!

[nimue]

I like it. Definitely looking up to the next update.

[TheLovecraftFactor]

...Hey again. Just adding another few paragraphs <yawn>...

10:45 a.m.

Everyone sat at the large table in the center of the Common Area, occasionally casting hateful glances at the large screen that hung above the center of the table. Mace rapped his knuckles against his chair while leaning back and staring at the ceiling. Corazon fiddled with something that looked like a small twig, twirling it along her fingers absentmindedly. Harvey, who was sitting next to her, watched her handling of the twig with rapt attention. Searle was munching from a bowl of what looked like dry cereal while reading something from a small notepad. Kaneda’s head was resting against his arched fingers, his eyebrows furrowed in deep concentration. Trey was fully focused on his video game, ignoring everyone else around him. Cassie was holding one of her books in front of her face, pretending to be focused on the words, but was using it to mask what she was really doing: casting brief, yet suggestive glances at Robert, who was sitting across from her. He was staring at something behind her, not paying any attention to her not-so-subtle glances…or maybe he was, but if so, he gave no indication.

They continued like this for another five minutes or so until Kaneda slowly stood up from his seat and cleared his throat. Everyone stopped what they were doing and focused on him. “Ah…” He started to speak, but stopped, noticing twelve pairs of eyes that stared at him with pleading expressions. You don’t have to do this, Captain. It’s very simple: all you have to do is just turn around and walk away, and the rest of us will follow. This is completely unnecessary, and you know it. Please, don’t do this…just walk away and spare us this torture… their eyes seemed to say. He averted his gaze from them, shaking his head. Kaneda was sympathetic to their plight…he really was…but as captain, he knew that this was just another important responsibility that had to be taken care of, no matter how distasteful it was. “Icarus…” he trailed off. Everyone stared at him hopefully…except for Robert, who just looked at him nonchalantly. Icarus, waiting for Kaneda’s command, replied with her usual calmness: Yes, Captain? He took one last look at everyone, and then said “Icarus…begin playback of the most recent transmission from the Icarus Project…”

The entire table erupted in frustrated yells and cries, most of them coming primarily from Mace, who pounded his fists on the table, shouting “Come on, Captain!! You can’t make us sit through this crap again!!” Harvey nodded vigorously in agreement. “Mace’s right, Captain…we’ve heard all this before. It’s just not necessary for us to go through this week after week,” he grunted. Shouts of assent came from Corazon, Trey, and Searle. Cassie just buried her face in her book and groaned. Robert said nothing, keeping an impassive expression while watching everyone else. Kaneda raised his hands in frustration at all the anger that seemed to be focused on him. “Mace, Harvey, we’ve been through all this before. I understand your anger, and I agree with you completely, but you know as well as I do that we all agreed to this before we left Earth. I suggest that we ‘grin and bear it,’ as the saying goes, and just get it over with,” he said, sighing in resignation. Harvey and Mace slumped down in their chairs, clearly not happy. “Whatever…” Mace huffed. Sitting down again, Kaneda sighed deeply and said, “Icarus, begin playback.” Icarus responded with a simple Yes, Captain, as the screen above the table sprung to life.

-- I typed this at a time when I really should have been sleeping...so don't mind the -- zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Starry_MelC]

Read it and love it! Poor Kaneda... ;D

[nimue]

I love how you call Capa "Robert" instead of calling him "Capa" like everyone else.

[chero]

I have a feeling that this report will be different from the others. *twitches in anticipation* It's sounding like a comedy so far. Heh. Oh, and I've never heard of the saying "grin and bear it" before. The animosity between Capa and Searle bothers me a little. I can never see them fighting like that.

[brittany]

I can see Harvey and Mace as impatient and aggressive during all of this. It's cute how you made Harvey stare at what Corrie was unconsciously doing. Team Corvey!

[TheLovecraftFactor]

admin said:

The animosity between Capa and Searle bothers me a little. I can never see them fighting like that.

...Well, I wouldn't call it animosity per se. It's more like a...disagreement...between them. In the idea as I originally saw it...Capa was annoyed with Searle because during their daily sessions, Searle always seemed to (unconsciously) adopt a condescending attitude towards him, and if there's one thing that Capa despises (aside from being referred to as 'Robbie', of course), it's being talked down to. As a result, he abruptly stopped attending his sessions, confusing Searle to no end as to the reason why. At any other time, they get along quite well, but it's only when Searle broaches the subject of these sessions that Capa gets defensive and becomes unwilling to deal with him, which in turn makes Searle only that more determined to find out why.

I hope this little exercise in sleep-deprived rambling was helpful to you...<yawn>...

[chero]

I can see clearly now the rain has gone... *Ahem* Yes, the rambling was extremely helpful. Thank you!

[TheLovecraftFactor]

...Just me again...adding some more to this exercise in utter lunacy...

12:43 p.m.

‘I guess that ‘Get Out of Dr. Searle’s Daily Session Free’ card wasn’t all it was cracked up to be…’ Robert thought dully as the report continued. On the screen, a scientist with a happy face was holding a laser pointer and indicating something about decreasing ocean temperatures, speaking enthusiastically about it like he did the last time…and the time before that…and so on. Looking around at everyone else, he noted the dazed, glassy-eyed stares that made them all look…well…almost like zombies. ‘That seems appropriate enough when exposed to boredom in its purest form…’ he thought as he shook his head sadly. ‘Still, this is better than being insulted by Searle for two hours. Hmph…I said that I wasn’t going to complain about that…and yet here I am, complaining…’ Robert frowned for a moment, then leaned back into his chair, folding his arms across his chest. The happy scientist soon stopped talking, and left. A moment later, a stern looking woman appeared. She activated a graph chart and began talking about the rapidly increasing extinction rate amongst tropical flora and fauna. ‘Fine…you do that…’ he thought in irritation at the screen as he dropped his head towards his chest and began mentally computing numerical equations.

…The report droned on…

1:55 p.m.

Mace snapped. He had been trying to suppress it…well…not really, but he did make a somewhat half-hearted effort to control himself. Now, a little over three hours into this ultra-dull snooze-fest, he had finally lost it. Quickly rising from his chair, he reached over and grabbed Searle’s notepad before he could react, and started mimicking the scientist currently speaking on screen, using over-exaggerated movements and muttered pseudo-scientific gibberish. Harvey perked up at Mace’s sudden movement, realized what he was doing, and then got up himself to join in. For the remainder of the transmission, Mace and Harvey mocked every scientist who appeared on the screen, causing Trey, Corazon, Cassie, and Searle to crack up uncontrollably. Kaneda, who sometimes couldn’t understand Mace’s preferred form of juvenile humor, was chuckling. And Robert (who, in Mace’s personal opinion, was an impossible nut to crack when it came to finding something – anything – that could possibly make him smile, let alone laugh) just stared impassively at everyone.

However, his calm exterior in the face of hysterical laughter came very close to cracking when Mace and Harvey began their current routine. Mace, using the best fake German accent he could muster, started off: “Hello there. I’m Professor Mace, and this is my trusted assistant, Dr. Harvey. Today, we’re going to speak about the inherent stupidity and lack of common sense found amongst so-called ‘men of science’….” Taking Searle’s notepad and flipping through it, Harvey continued: “Using the evidence provided here, we’re going to prove to you right now that all scientists are, in fact, complete idiots…” Biting the inside of his lip as hard as he could to keep himself from smiling and/or laughing while everyone else was practically on the floor, Robert glared at Mace and Harvey in mock-offence. They took no notice of him, focused only on their current actions. “Now, with the help of my esteemed colleague, Dr. Harvey, I’m now going to demonstrate…” Mace was saying in that fake accent over the loud, raucous laughter that now pervaded the entire Common Area.

Unnoticed by anyone (luckily), Robert's impassive expression finally cracked, and he managed a small chuckle as the ‘demonstration’ continued…

-- I blame way too much sugar for this one...(looking for 'hyper' emoticon...doesn't see one)

[Starry_MelC]

It's so cute that you make Harvey lighten up in this fanfic!

[TheLovecraftFactor]

Meh...I haven't had the chance to type anything for the last couple of days, mainly because my stupid, slave-driving boss has been running me ragged all this time...draining me of all my creativity...

: How I'm feeling right now...

: What I DESPERATELY wish I could do to my boss right now...

(...Okay, I'm fine now...wait...no, I'm not, but I REALLY needed to vent right now, so feel free to ignore this part and move right on to the part of the story I did manage to write up...I did the best I could under the circumstances...)


2:50 p.m.

It was over. The nightmare had finally ended, although it would be at least another ten minutes before anyone realized it. They were all still enthralled with Mace and Harvey’s little performance. It wasn’t until Cassie looked up at the now-blank screen and announced that the transmission had ended, that everyone fell quiet. A moment later, everyone…except for Robert, of course…began cheering. Mace and Harvey bowed down in appreciation. “Thank you, we’ll be here all week,” Harvey replied in a brisk tone. Trey called for an encore, but Mace shook his head. “Sorry, Treyster, but you’ll just have to wait. I need time to gain some inspiration for next week’s snooze-fest,” he said apologetically. Trey smiled widely, but there was disappointment in his eyes. “Ah, that’s all right, Mace. I’ll wait,” he said as he walked toward the kitchen.

Meanwhile, Kaneda remained sitting, watching everyone as they celebrated their survival of yet another dull report. He barely managed to suppress a chuckle as he saw two funny things happen: first, he saw Cassie get up, approach Robert, pull him out of his chair and then do a happy little dance while holding his hands and twirling him around. He grinned as he saw Robert look at her with a less-than-enthusiastic expression. She took no notice of it as she continued to dance. The other thing he saw was Harvey trying to approach Corazon, who was stretching. Tapping her shoulder, he was surprised when she whirled towards him, her fist rapidly approaching his face. Instinctively, Harvey raised his arm, and when her fist got close enough, he swatted it away. Corazon frowned for a moment, then smiled. “Well, well, you really have been paying attention during our lessons. I’m quite impressed.” Harvey blushed and murmured something inaudible. “Well…I – uh… If you don’t mind, Corrie… I would like to…learn a little more from you…” She smiled again, causing Harvey to blush even more.

Kaneda didn’t hear her response, for he chose that moment to get out of his seat. He clapped his hands loudly. Everybody stopped what they were doing and looked at him. “Well, we’ve once again successfully endured another ‘educational’ transmission from the Icarus Project. I think we all deserve a well-earned round of applause,” he said, clapping again. “Hear, hear!” Mace called out, leading the surge of loud clapping that echoed throughout the Common Area. "Well..." Kaneda said. "Now that's over, I want to tell you all --"

Attention: additional transmissions received. Information as follows: First transmission identified as Code Blue Designation, Eyes Only – Captain Akira Kaneda. Further information as follows: Direct Probe relay, active link. Second transmission identified as Code Blue Designation, Eyes Only – Physicist Robert Jason Capa. Direct Probe relay, active link. Immediate response from relevant parties required…

Everyone fell deathly silent at Icarus’ stunning words. Any transmission marked with a Code Blue Designation was major…or as Mace would say, “Oh, man...a Code Blue...that's some real heavy-duty shit…” An ‘active link’ meant that this was a live communication and not a pre-recorded message. A ‘Direct Probe Relay’ was how transmissions from Earth reached the Icarus II. The ‘probes’ were large, circular objects with antennas of all shapes and sizes protruding from every side. Released at regular intervals along the ship’s route, each probe would automatically activate and serve as an always-lengthening communication chain between the Icarus II and its monitors back on Earth.

Kaneda frowned, deep in thought. He wondered what could possibly be so important that a Code Blue had to be sent here. Shaking his head, he turned to Robert, who had his arms crossed and an impatient look on his face. “Okay, then. Harvey, keep an eye on things here until we’re finished. Come on, Capa. Let’s go.” With that, they both headed to the Comms Center.

[nimue]

first, he saw Cassie get up, approach Robert, pull him out of his chair and then do a happy little dance while holding his hands and twirling him around. He grinned as he saw Robert look at her with a less-than-enthusiastic expression.

I'm loving you right now!