#hexaverse

?1: "Status?" ?2: "Sir. Readings on 42-B have stabilized. We estimate his power surge was brought out due to fright from his sleep combined with mental stress." ?1: "I see. And what of the troublemaker?" ?2: "42-F was successfully subdued at 1:52 this afternoon. Her outburst was yet again caused by her anger issue. Shall we increase the dosage?" ?1: "Increase it. Her body must be better at adapting to chemicals then anticipated. She may be more trouble then originally estimated." ?3: "Dr. Network?" N: "Yes, what is it?" ?3: "Project Epsilon tests begin soon. I assumed you wanted to be present for it?" N: "Ah, must have slipped my mind. 42-F was rather irking me. Lets get to the tests. You, do one last report on F before you leave." ?2: "Of course, sir." The doctor and the newcomer walked away, that ever-present beep...beep...beep going eternal, almost deafening in a way. The one remaining scribbled away at the pad in their hands, doing some checks on the digital monitors attached in front of them. Satisfied, they too turned and exited. Along with that deafening sound, small sounds of bubbling fluids are the only other to hear in a room filled with countless tubes and wires and monitors. Its all there is to this room, and many many others like it ---------- There was a light tapping of glass. It was coming from her right. She thought she was hearing things until it came again. She opened her eyes. Once again everything was covered in a bluish-green hue from the fluid. Sometimes she wished she could at least stand instead of float in that damned tube. The tapping came again, and she turned to look. The source was a small figure, hard to make out the colors on them, but they looked vaguely familiar. Black fur, long ears, though other details are hard to make out. Assuming that it was a bunny she was looking at, she waved back to them. Shes learned thats how to communicate in here; tapping the glass and making certain gestures. Cant talk with a mask over the mouth after all, and even if they didnt theyre surrounded by liquid. She then begin "drawing" letters in the glass F: 'W-H-O-R-U-?' <Who are you?> B: '4-2-B. N-U?' <42-B. And you?> F: '4-2-F. R-U-A-B-U-N-E/R-A-B-T?' <42-F. Are you a bunny/rabbit?> B: 'Y-E-S. D-E-E-R? H-R-D-2-T-E-L' <Yes. Deer? Hard to tell> She nodded 'P-L-E-S-D-2-M-E-E-T-U' <Pleased to meet you> F: 'H-W-L-N-G-U-B-E-N-H-R-E?' <How long you been here?> He paused and thought '2-L-N-G-2-C-O-U-N-T?' <Too long too count?> B: '2-S-H-R-T-2-F-R-G-T. A-B-T-3-Y-R-S. U?' <Too short too forget. About 3 years. You?> F: 'H-L-L-I-F-I-R-M-B-R. D-B-L-A-T-L-E-S-T.' <Hell if I remember. Double at least.> He drew a sad face to say hes sorry for her 'T-H-N-K-S. I-T-S-N-T-H-N-G-I-C-N-T-H-N-D-L.' <Thanks. Its nothing I cant handle.> Though no sound was heard, they both laughed at her joke, knowing full well the grimness behind it. They sat in "silence" for a while, that droning beep...beep...beep never ceasing to continue. Its hard to find conversation in their lives, and they both knew that. But anything is better then nothing, and so they really wanted to continue for any reason at all F: 'D-O-U-T-H-N-K-A-B-T-L-E-V-N-G-E-V-R?' <Do you think about leaving ever?> B: 'I-H-V-E-D-R-E-M-S-O-F-I-T-A-T-T-I-M-S-B-U-T-D-N-T-C-O-U-N-T-O-N-I-T' < I have dreams of it at times but dont count on> F: 'W-N-D-R-W-A-T-T-H-O-U-T-S-D-E-I-S-L-K-E-2' <Wonder what the outside is like too> Again theres a long pause between them 'M-B-Y-I-F-W-E-E-V-R-G-T-O-U-T-W-E-C-O-U-L-D-M-E-E-T-U-P?' <Maybe if we ever get out we could meet up?> B: 'I-F-W-E-R-M-B-R-E-C-H-O-T-H-R-T-H-N-S-R-E-T-H-T-S-O-U-N-D-S-F-U-N. M-R-E-T-H-N-T-H-S-P-L-C-E-A-N-Y-W-Y.' <If we remember each other then sure, that sounds fun. More fun then this place anyway> Again more unheard laughter comes from the 2 of them, knowing that with how stagnant and  grating this life is, that may never come to pass. But theres very little choice in their lives. They can either hope or give up choice itself, and theyd rather hope F: 'I-L-D-O-M-Y-B-S-T-2-R-M-B-R-U. B-S-T-2-K-E-E-P-D-R-E-M-N-G-F-R-N-D.' <Ill do my best to remember. Best to keep dreaming, friend> B: 'M-E-2. H-P-E-W-E-G-T-T-H-C-H-N-C-2-S-M-E-T-I-M.' <Me too. Hope we get the chance to some time> They both place a hand against the glass and hold it there, like a sign of good faith. Life hasnt been on their side thus far... perhaps one day theyll get that chance theyre looking for. Who knows. The deck is stacked against them, but they can still win the game. Until then, they can only hope in silence. Just like everyone else there Beep...beep...beep…