Union Military Headquarters - Hospital

In addition to all of the base's other amenities, the Union's base boasts a full-service hospital. Secured safely underground, the medical center is capable of dealing with everything from the smallest scrape to large-scale trauma. Emergency Services and a First-Aid Station are located closest to the main elevators, with more specialized wards located farther away. Near the center of the floor are the Trauma Ward for combat-related injuries and the Critical Care Unit, for those in the most dire straights. In spite of the lack of windows, the air remains fresh, if smelling faintly of antiseptic.

Contents:

Obvious exits:

<U>p leads to Union Military Headquarters - Main Entrance.

The whisper of fans, the steady beep of monitors. A whiff of antiseptic. These are the things to which Dr. Vogler awakes.

A hospital, he reasons.

He opens his eyes, tries to bring the ceiling above him into focus. It remains blurry, He finds himself dressed in hospital scrubs, a real honest-to-gods cloth one, not a paper one that never ties properly. He sits up, wincing as his body objects to this but otherwise ignoring the discomfort. Seeing no nurses immediately about his little corner of the facility, he pushes himself out of the bed.

Where is he?

Wandering into the Union base's hospital is none other than Julian. The youn Frame Runner had been instructed to head there shortly after his near death experience. He was fine though...really, well save for that stylish "tan" (see bright red complexion) he got thanks to the little 'dip' he went for. He idly played at his flightsuit, having become self-conscious of jsut how much the blasted thing stuck out in this place.

"I told you this'd happen."

Those are the words that Ash has for his companion, as he sits on a medtable next to Vogler. And what's wrong with the companion?

"Pika ka chu pika?" <How the hell was I supposed to know they made toilet seats out of anti-omniphasic refractory reinforced armor metal?> Pikachu inquires, as he attempts to scratch behind his ears - and fails, as his rear leg can't quite make it to scratch through said toilet seat.

Looks like somebody was drinking out of the toilets again.

Pika ka chu pika? What kind of language is that?

Vogler turns towards the sound of voices, brow furrowing as he tries and fails to bring the yellow blob and humanish blob into focus. "Where...where am I?" he asks of them. "Where is everyone?"

Julian pauses on his trip to see the doctor when he spies the yellow rat-thing with the toilet seat stuck around it's neck. A curious Brow is quirked, why does that rodent and it's owner seem familia-oh! That's one of the people who came to help him with Anubis, wasn't it? Julian remains stationary for a moment, wondering if now would really be the best time to go and offer his thanks.

Ash doesn't really notice Julian, yet.

Though he does wonder why he had to end up in the same ward with the nutters.

"Hospital. Union Headquarters. And i couldn't say where everyone is, 'cuz I've never seen you in my life." he says helpfully. "Need me to get a nurse?"

That answer causes Vogler's brow to furrow further, his lips twisting into a frown of distress. "Union Headquarters?" he echoes, his tone making the phrase a question. "How far...how far from Bashtarle?"

Julian, having caught what little of the conversation there was, does the pruident thing and goes to get him checked out...little did he know the horrors that await him! Muah ha ha!!

Ash pauses. "...yeaaaaaah, I think a nurse would be in order." He reaches over for a call button, pressing it over Vogler's bed, while Pikachu continues struggling in vain with the reinforced toilet seat.

"You're safe for now, though, so don't worry about that. I've got no idea what Bashtarle is, so I don't think I can help you."

Dr. Vogler is obviously not liking the answers he's receiving. "A country..." he begins to explain, then trails off. "My god! The experiment...Emanuel, Farmelle, are they safe?"

Julian looks about as he waits on one of the other hospital beds nearby. Well this shouldn't be too bad, right? Just a quick checkup then he can go...oh the fool!

A cute, seemingly harmless nurse arrives to perform Julian's checkup. After pulling the curtains closed, there's the sound of a terrified yelp coming from Julian along with a "No WAY am I letting you stick me with that!!"

"Standard procedure! We need bloodwork for our records!!"

"Taking a pint isn't 'bloodwork'!! It's a friggin OIL CHANGE!!"

Ash flicks his eyes away.

"...I don't know, honestly." He glances over towards some charts, glancing to them. Says that he was brought here alone. "...what's the last thing you remember?..."

Pikachu, on the other hand, is more than happy to listen to the screams of pain and anguish that comes from the other hospital beds.

"PIKA! KA CHU PIKA PIKACHU!" <C'MON! JUST LIE DOWN AND TAKE IT LIKE A MAN! I PAID FOR BLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!> Pikachu yelps, as he waggles his kawaii widdle tail.

The conversation he's hearing from the room next door is not doing anything to calm Vogler's nerves.

The middle-aged man grips the guardrail, closing his eyes as he tries to put his addled thoughts in some semblence of order. "...the experiment..." he says. "...it wasn't ready yet...what fools...I'm sorry." He shakes his head. "It's all a blur. I remember going to the control room, but nothing past that." He reaches up to rub his eyes, though he probably shouldn't. "....you have no idea what I'm talking about, do you."

"Mr. Egret it won't be that bad!!"

"Not that bad!? You tried to jab that thing into my STERNUM you nut!!"

There's several crashing sounds before Julian comes staggering out from behind the curtains, trying to regain his balance. His flightsuit's been partways undone, the left arm and chest yanked off of him. Stupid bloodthirsty nurses...They weren't getitng it. Not his blood. Not his blood!!

Ash glares at Pikachu, who naturally takes no notice, fully engrossed in the drama playing out across the hall.

"No, I don't." He scowls slightly. "Hey - lie back down. I'm not sure just what happened to you but I can tell you've been through the ringer. And don't rub your eyes. You could cause more damage." He's not quite sure why, but maybe it has to do with smoke particulate or something - he's not a doctor.

"...pika chu." <...oh, show came here.> Pikachu says, sitting up at sudden attention. Ash glances towards the flightsuit guy who's wandered in here.

Well, this is awkward. It's not often a half-naked man stumbles into the room you're in.

"...uh, hi."

Dr. Vogler is a doctor, just not a medical one. All the same, he partially complies, bringing his hands down to rest them on his knees but not lying down. "Where exactly am I?" he asks. "What country? What city?"

Surely he must at least still in Europe...isn't he?

He opens his eyes again, just in tile to see another humanish blob stumble into the room. "...busy place," he remarks quietly.

Julian looks about the room, panting. His snow-white hair an even bigger dishelved mess than usual. "Gotta hide!" he murmurs to himself.

The sounds of footsteps echo from behind Julian, a voice shouting, "Mr. Egret! We WILL get that blood sample, one way or the other! You may as well just give up!"

Gah! Will they not relent!? Only now does Julian realize someone had addressed him. In a flash he bolts up to Ash, trying to grab the teenager by the shirt, pleading, "Hide me from that white clad vampire!!!" Damn! She was getting closer! He could /feel/ it!

Ash, unfortunately, is stuck with the dubious honor of being the only sane one in a room full of the mad. This includes his rat right now.

Before he can answer Vogler's question, however, he's hoisted up by his shirt, boggling as he's held up by his shirt. "HEY - CALM DOWN FERGOD'SSAKE! You're in a hospital, they're SUPPOSED to take your blood!"

"Pika chu ka pika." <Sometimes by the pint.> Pikachu mutters, rubbing his widdle posterior, where the nurse insisted on taking a blood sample from HIM - even though he's here to have a toilet seat removed.

"Ka pika pikachu." <You could say that, 'bout this place.> Pika says towards Vogler, sitting down on his haunches quietly.

Dr. Vogler shall hope that the medical staff had the good sense to draw his blood while he was still unconscious. For the moment, he lapses into silence, his face drawn with worry.

"Not by the friggin' pint they aren't!!" Julian snaps back to Ash.

Before Julian can say any more his eyes go wide and his hands release Ash. The cause being a 6 inch long needle with a syringe large enough to put the fear of god into someone having been lodged into his NECK, the agitated nurse dutifully filling the thing to the brim, causing Julian's face to pale visibly as he becomes lightheaded from blood loss.

Her job done, the Nurse removes the needle and uncerimoniously slaps a band-aid on the needle's point of entry, leaving Julian in a state of shock and near collapse. Hey look! Pretty colors came out!

Ash just... sort of... stares.

Gulps.

"...how long did you say it was until Nurse Joy was getting back from vacation, Pikachu?..."

"Pika." <Not friggin' soon enough.> Pikachu says, sweatdropping, as the rat moves aside, letting Julian sit.

Perhaps it's just as well that Vogler's vision is blurred. There are some things that one is better off not witnessing.

"...is he all right?" he asks.

Julian collapses into whatever seat was offered. Now substantially more mellow he looks up to Ash, "Are the medical staff here....always this...energetic?" Damn...she didn't even give him one of those consolation cookies...

Ash strolls over, leaning up against a nearby wall.

"Sometimes." Sigghhhhh.

"Pika chu ka pika." <And sometimes they're worse.> Pikachu says, continuing to pull on the toilet cover. Almooooooooosssssttttttttttt......

Dr. Vogler asks again, since his question was apparently forgotten during the Attack of the Nurse. "Please...tell me where I am....the city. And a telephone. I must know what happened to my children, and the project."

Julian seems to wake up substantially as a voice comes over a comm unit on his wrist, "I am recieving a distress signal regarding an attack located in an area designated Dallas 357...the apparent culprit is Colnel Nohman."

Julian is quickly back to his feet, "Shit..." he looks to Ash, starting to get his flightsuit back on properly.

<Union-IC> Julian sounding a bit woozy, "Rock, can you forward the location to ADA, please?"

<Union-IC> Blink says, "Enroute."

<Union-IC> Rockman Trigger says, "Forwarding coordinates now. ...Be careful Julian, they're after you. And didn't you say you needed Metatron for full repairs?"

<Union-IC> Optimus Prime's radio sounds of transformation.

<Union-IC> Julian sighs, "Yeah, I know, but at the same time just LETTING him do as he pleases to get at me won't help either..."

Ash grimmaces quietly, standing himself --

Until Vogler's voice catches his attention. Dammit.

"Go on..." Ash says, nodding sharply towards Julian. "I'll stay here."

He then takes a seat near Vogler.

Julian nods to Ash and quickly runs out, from outside the hospital there's the sound of jet engines landing outside with a large *thud*> a few moments later they spool up again, the shock rocking the building slightly.

Julian has left.

Dr. Vogler has no radio, but the bits of conversation spoken in front of him fill him with a certain dread. It's the kind that forms a knot in the pit of one's stomach, the kind that derives from having no idea what is going on, but that whatever it is, it cannot be good. He looks toward the boy, still wearing that worried expression.

Ash lets out a slightly exasperated breath, scratching the back of his neck.

"There's a battle going on..." He glances down to the ground. "You're in the middle of a warzone, here." He shakes his head. Then remembers something.

The Union and the Confederacy. He said he didn't know about the Union...

"Do you know what the Union or the Confederacy are?..."

Dr. Vogler shakes his head. "I know there is a war on in Africa, the Congo, I believe...did I manage to move /that/ far?"

Ash glances down at his lap.

This is never easy.

Even Pikachu's antics simmer down, albiet he continues struggling with the toilet seat - albiet a bit more quietly.

"Do you know what the Unification is?..."

That lump in the pit of Vogler's stomach grows heavier.

"No."

That's what he was afraid of.

"...alright... what's your name, again?..." Ash tilts his head, recalling that he didn't catch it. Though one can tell the young man has something decidedly ungood to speak of.

"Franken von Vogler," the man replies quietly.

"Frank. Um." Ash says, flicking his eyes up, and then closing them, leaning back.

"About twelve years ago, there was... some kind of an accident. We're still not certain just what happened... but worlds started getting dragged together and stuck together. Pretty soon there was just this giant landmass, with new worlds and things being pulled in all the time. Most were from completely different dimensions, and a lot of them were parallel copies of Earths."

Dr. Vogler's face grows ashen, or as ashen as possible considering the partially healed burns. He closes his eyes once more, words beyond him.

<Union-IC> Master Yoda says, "Assess the situation, you must...MacLeod...and act, you will. According to Prime's order.

<Union-IC> Julian says, "I'm about 5 minutes out. Let me know where you need me."

<Union-IC> Duncan MacLeod says, "Yes, Master Yoda."

<Union-IC> Master Revan says, "This will delay the...other operaton some; but it cannot be helped."

<Union-IC> Duncan MacLeod says, "Agreed, Master Revan."

<Union-IC> Master Yoda says, "Buiding our new temple, I now am, Revan. Soon, a home, we will have.

<Union-IC> Optimus Prime says, "My long-range scanners are detecting the battle is already in progress. Our objective is to disable or destroy enemy combatants with as little collateral damage as possible. Blink, I need you to evacuate as many people as possible. Julian, MacLeod, I'm going to need you for frontal assault. Our main objective is to stop Nohman; if he can be crippled, captured or killed, that would be highly advantageous."

<Union-IC> Master Yoda says, "Hmmmm....defeated Nohman, I have. Lower section of his mechs body, a power core, there is. If threaten that, you can...win you can. Got it, I did, with a force push and leap to it.

<Union-IC> Duncan MacLeod says, "As you command, Optimus."

<Union-IC> Julian says, "Understood *aside* ADA. Track and display all threats to civilians once we're in range. <ADA> Affirmative."

<Union-IC> Optimus Prime says, "If the opportunity presents itself, try to take Nohman alive. If it doesn't... I'll send flowers."

<Union-IC> Duncan MacLeod says, "Forget the flowers..."

<Union-IC> Duncan MacLeod says, "Master Yoda, where is this power core?"

Ash flicks his eyes up.

He's had to do this a couple times before. It's never easy. It was strange, but not really horrible, when his world got pulled in - and the Confed attack was repelled without too much difficulty - but he can imagine, from that little bit, what hell Vogler must be in for now.

"Like I said, this has happened over the course of the last twelve years. And it's... still been happening."

He swallows roughly. SLumps his shoulders a bit.

"But sometimes... someone gets thrown here without their world. Or their world ends up here and they end up tossed away from it somewhere... and..." he shakes his head. "That sounds like what happened to you."

<Union-IC> Optimus Prime : Sarcastic Dynamo.

<Union-IC> Blink says, "Guys, if you can get the civilians to me, I can get them out."

<Union-IC> Master Yoda says, "Below the cockpit, it is. Hard to reach, it will be. But if reach it, you can...defeat him, you all will.

<Union-IC> Julian |ADA, "Anubis' cockpit is located in its upper torso near where the neck joints the chest. I advise caution directly attacking it. Should the core go critical it has an explosive yield equivalent to 22.3 Gigatons."

<Union-IC> Julian ((ooc'ly asdjusts cockpit with power core))

Dr. Vogler says nothing for a long time. His eyes remain closed, his knuckles whitening as he clenthes his fingers around the thin blanket warming his legs. "My God..." he rasps at last. "...my God."

<Union-IC> Rockman Trigger says, "...Er, guys I don't think we should mess with that."

"If your world's here," Ash continues quietly... "We'll do everything we can to try to find it. Most worlds aren't hurt by the Unification effect. Mine wasn't. Stuff just got rearranged."

<Union-IC> Optimus Prime says, "We'll try, Blink."

<Union-IC> Blink says, "Good. The last thing we need is for this to become a culling."

<Union-IC> Duncan MacLeod says, "I am at the command of the field marshal."

Dr. Vogler nods slowly at this. He begins to reach up to rub at his eyes, catches himself halfway, and forces his hand down. That his eyes are watering must be from the irritation from their injury. "I...see. Yes...if there is some way to find my home..."

"We'll try to help." Ash says.

"I'm Ash, by the way. And this is Pikachu."

"Pika." <Heyya.> says the toilet-constrained rodent, before he returns to struggling with the toilet seat. He'd consider doing the typical, give-the-poor-guy-something-to-pet routine, but somehow, having the toilet seat stuck on him likely takes some of the appeal out of it. Wonder why.

"Pleased to meet you," Vogler replies, remembering his manners. "I only wish that it was under better circumstances." He gives a weary sigh. "My children...Emanuel, he will understand. Farmelle...she is so young, and losing her mother was hard enough for her..." He shakes his head. No help for that now. He opens his eyes again, looking in the direction of Pikachu. "Your friend sounds like he's in distress," he remarks.

Ash smiles just a bit, reaching to scratch his rat behind his ears. "Yeah, s'why we're here. He can't stop drinking out of the toilet."

"Pika chu ka pika." <I keep saying you're missing out.> Pikachu insists.

Ash sighs. "...look. I know it isn't easy, but right now, the best thing you can do for them is to rest and try to get better. Because if you don't, you won't be able to look for them, and you might get even sicker."

This conversation has been most bizarre.

Vogler decides to not inquire as to why the yellow blur prefers to drink out of commodes - he's not sure that he really wants to know the answer. "I will," he says. "If there is anything I can tell you that will narrow the search." Then, he follows a completely different tangent. "The experiment," he muses. "The energy output...I wonder."

Ash scratches the back of his head - nervous habit.

"Well, what you were doing at the time might help, yeah. I'm not the one you'd go to for that, though. When the nurse finally gets here, she'll probably be able to help you more along those lines... they'll probably send you to the science department eventually to fill out a report an' all."

Pikachu prefers toilet water 'cuz it's DEE-DANDY-LICIOUS.

Dr. Vogler nods at this. "All right." He ventures a wan smile, though it doesn't reach his eyes. "I suppose that this has almost become routine around here, if what you say about this...would you call it a dimensional compression phenomenon?...is true."

"Yeah..." Ash says, with a nod. "For the most part, though, it's whole worlds. The landmass is... really, really huge. There's a lot of room..."

He glances back towards the man before him. "I suppose you oughta know, we're at war, too."

"I gathered that," Vogler replies. "Over resources?" he ventures.

"Control, actually." Ash says, pushing himself back.

"In this part of it - since this is pretty darn big, we're only a small chunk of everything that's out there - there's two main powers. One is the Union - that's the part we are. Basically we banded together for survival. Then there's the Confederacy, which is pretty much every whackjob, tyrant, dictator and genocidal fiend from all the other universes mashed up here at once. The Confederacy'll probably turn on itself the minute it thinks we're defeated, but for now they're working together to try to break us."

Dr. Vogler takes this all in silently. For someone who has been told that he is no longer in his universe, that his universe may or may not be connected with where he is now, that he may or may not be able to return home, and that his present location is torn by war, he's taking it rather well. "Mmm. I suppose some things never change."

"It isn't working, though." Ash says quietly, with a bit of grim determination, clenching his fist unconsciously. "They haven't broken us yet, and they're not gonna."

Dr. Vogler reserves his judgement for now - he has seen too many wars that were called noble but were thinly veiled grabs for land and too-scarce resources. He purses his lips, not speaking those thoughts aloud. "Thank you for your hospitality."

Ash's tale will be pleasantly surprising then - the Union is far from tulips and daffodils, but their opponents make them look like Amnesty International in comparison.

He nods slightly. "It's no problem..." he tilts his head slightly. "...did you need anything?" he inquires, glancing around for the nurse that he's been waiting for. Ugh. Pressed that call button long enough, she should be here by now...

The nurses are too busy imitating mosquitoes with the other patients, no doubt.

"Some time, I think," Vogler answers. "This is all a bit overwhelming."

*KEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRPOP!*

"KA! PIKA CHU PIKA KA PIKA KA CHU!" <HA! NO MERE TOILET SEAT CAN DEFEAT /ME/!> The thing lands in a nearby garbage can with a loud clatter after Pikachu gives it a solid *KICK*.

Ash winces slightly. "Yeah..." he says. "...you want me to leave you alone for now, then?..."

MUSH: Saving database. Insert witty quote here.

MUSH: Save and wit complete.

Dr. Vogler winces at the clatter, though now the comment about toilet drinking makes more sense.

"Yes, please," he says quietly. "Only...one more thing. Once I am well enough to be released, what happens to me then?"

Ash sighs faintly.

"To be honest, I'm not sure." he says, tilting his head. "But that's partially up to you. We won't kick you out to the curb. If you don't want to be part of the Union, we won't stop you from leaving so long as you're not going to the Confederacy. You could join the military and help us, or you could get a civilian job, or you could leave. There's a lot of places you CAN go in the Union - you can probably find one you do want. And if you stay, we'll try to help you find your home."

Dr. Vogler again nods, seemingly unsurprised by the answer. "I will need to learn more before I can make any decisions. You have told me a lot, for which I thank you, but I suspect this is but the tip of the iceburg."

A small smile comes to Ash's face, one in which the good doctor can doubtlessly see that this kid has seen quite a bit more than someone his age should have.

"You don't know the half of it, Frank."

He slides off the medtable, picking up his now-liberated 'chu.

"I'll let you get some rest and think about this some, and free up this bed for someone who needs it now." He reaches over for a handshake. "Good luck. I know it's gonna be hard, but it's not hopeless. Trust me."

<Union-IC> Shinji says, "Unnn... I'm going off radio for a bit. Going to go find somewhere nice and quiet to sit."

"Franken," Vogler corrects. It may be an odd name, but it's his name. He clasps Ash's hand, the handshake less firm than it could be due to the healing burns. "And thank you."

"Franken," Ash verbally corrects, smiling a little bit. "And not a problem."

With that, Ash withdraws and tilts his hat some. "C'mon, Pikachu, let's get goin'."

Pikachu hits the ground and trails after his master. "Pika chu pika pika." <As a tip. Don't eat the jell-o. Trust me on this.> Pikachu says, with all seriousness, before the pair make their way out.

Hopefully he'll heed the rat's advice.

============================ BB Post in Progress =============================

Group: Union IC

Title: Thank-You Message

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Video message, filed wherever would be considered a 'public' file server.

A middle-aged man with gray-white hair worn in a pompador gone horribly wrong and a pointed goatee appears in the picture. His normally fair skin is an angry red, like he spent the entire day on the beach without sunscreen. "Ah, hello. My name is Dr. Franken von Vogler. I am a physicist and..." He trails off, a small, sad smile playing on his lips. "Well. I would say that I am from Austria, but from what I gather, that reference does not mean much anymore. I can say, however, that I am a very long way from home.

"I would like to thank all of you for your hospitality, especially whoever it is that found me and brought me in. I'm told that I was in very bad shape, and I am sure that I owe my life to you. Thank you. I do not know how or if I can repay you, but I will try.

"I am in the process of learning more about this universe - this...Unification?...is new to me. While I owe you much already, I would like some help in locating my home dimension, if that's possible. Again, Thank you." He nods his head in a gesture of thanks, and the video feed ends.

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