AN: So, I've been replaying Bioshock Infinite, and I couldn't help but wonder, what would the game be like if it was Jack from Bioshock instead of Booker? I always felt that Jack had some more smarts than Booker and this little gem is a product of that stray thought. The story will be told in first-person from Jack's POV, so that'll be fun. Hope you guys enjoy, and let me know what you think. Also if there are some events that are changed from the game, just remember, this is a NOT Booker DeWitt. So there.
The fight was over. With help from the little sisters that I had saved on my journey through Rapture, Atlas- no, Fontaine was dead. This whole nightmare was nearing the end, I had just sent the girls up in a bathysphere. It was my turn next. Time to put this whole bloodbath behind me.
As I stepped toward the bathysphere, I noticed what looked like a hole next to it. I wouldn't have paid it any mind, but this hole looked to me as if it was black and white on the other side. But that couldn't be right could it? Before I could take even one step closer to the oddity in front of me, the 'hole' seemed to rip open and expand, engulfing the whole room. I watched in awe as two figures stepped through with such nonchalance that one may have thought they were just strolling about the park or some other such place. The figures (which appears to be a man and a woman) stop in front of me. But how did they get here?
"Would you kindly stop your staring, it's quite rude" says the woman, causing me to flinch reflexively at the 'oh so familiar' words of the man who I once thought of as an ally. The look on her face gives the insinuation that she said that on purpose, but that's just not possible. Right?
"Yes, that is quite rude." Says the man, "But, we didn't come here to give you a lesson on proper etiquette."
"No, we didn't."
"We should have."
"We had."
"We had?"
"Yes, we have had."
"Ah, I understand."
As they continue juggling a conversation, I try my hardest to keep up, but their verbal tennis match has thrown me for a loop and I find myself more confused than I had begun, and that is saying something.
"Excuse me, but if you wouldn't mind, could you explain what you're doing here?" The pair of them stop their chatter and refocus on me. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing.
"What are we doing here?" the woman asks the man.
"An experiment."
"I figured, but what are we doing with him? What about the 'other' him?"
"Ah, well, you were right-" "Like always." "-and the 'other' him repeatedly failed. It seems that was his constant."
"So, I ask again, what are we doing here?"
"But are you not already aware?"
"I want it in speech, helps clarify things."
"Does it?"
I've known these two for all of five minutes and I already have a headache. I don't think I have ever met two people who could confuse me this much, but, well, I am seventy-six percent positive that these people take the cake.
"Well, pleasure meeting you, I must be on my way." Turning to the bathysphere with hopes of leaving, I am quite shocked to find the two oddballs standing in front of me. I quickly turn back and see nothing but air. "What- how?" As perplexed as I am, I realize one thing. They are now standing in between me and the bathysphere. Damn. I reach for one of my weapons, but nothing is there. Not even my wrench. I try to activate a plasmid. None of them are working.
"Mr. Ryan," says the man, interrupting my panic, "We have need of your services." Seeing the untrusting expression on my face, he continues, "We need you to go to a city, similar to this one, and rescue a girl." Alarm bells immediately ring in my head. Rescue a girl from what? But more importantly, a city similar to this one in what way? The insane people? The liars? The water?
"What would you have me do?" I ask cautiously. The only reason I'm even considering the offer is that a girl may be in trouble, and if this 'similar city' is as similar to Rapture as he insinuates, than I must tear it down. Places like this, they shouldn't exist. It will always end in blood.
"The choice is yours." Says the woman.
"It always is." Says the man.
"Should you come with us-"
"-you would be forced to do more of the same."
"But you would almost definitely be more bewildered."
"Oh, most definitely, but I think he will be more befuddled than bewildered."
"Perplexed, perhaps?"
"Indeed."
As the two were going another round, I thought over my options. I could just leave. They did say it was my choice, didn't they? But… What then? After I move on to the surface. What will I do? Where will I go? I imagine I'd stay with the sisters for a time, but, I couldn't do that forever. No, absolutely not. Better to go someplace my 'talents' will be useful. Maybe I could save people as well.
"I accept," I state, causing the man to smile.
"I'm surprised."
"You always are."
"I am just always convinced he'll decline."
"I'm surprised he hasn't."
"He has."
"He has?"
"Yes, he has."
"Well that makes loads more sense."
"I imagine it does."
"Um, excuse me," I interject once again "Before I go with you, may I ask you one question? What exactly happened to the 'him' you were speaking of before?"
"Hmm, and what did happen to him? He was a constant." The woman questions,
"He stopped." The man replies,
"Stopped what?"
"He stopped being a constant."
"Ah, so this one is a constant," if the woman is surprised, she hides it well, "I can't say I approve, changing the experiment midway, although I never really approved of the experiment at all."
"But I have changed nothing. There will always be constants and variables. There will always be a lighthouse, a man, and a city. I am just changing the man."
With that last disordered conversation, I feel faint. I start swaying from side to side and I lean against the wall to keep my balance. Slowly sliding down the wall, I look up to the mysterious couple in front of me. Closing my eyes I hear one final sentence.
"You Jack Ryan are that man."
It isn't until a time later that I realize exactly what I am getting into. If presented with the choice again, I would most likely hesitate to accept offers from strange individuals in the future.