:Josh:
Venus
(Ralph)
Dexter
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15. Manipulating a Criminal Mind
Otto was sitting at his desk in the basement. It was three o' clock in the morning, and he was barely staying awake. He couldn't think of anything but Rachel, pondering on how he could convince her to let him help her.
Yes, she had gone insane. There was no doubt about that in his mind. However, he still thought there was this little speck of the old Rachel left, although it was buried underneath all the negative influence from her actuators.
Yet somehow, he felt responsible for the entire situation. Ever since he met Rachel, he had the thought of designing a set of actuators for her. It just so happened that at the time he had finished them, it was Rachel's birthday. He remembered watching her eyes light up when he removed the sheet from them, how happy she had been. Training her in how to use them, watching her in her first battle with Spider-Man... Wait...it was Spider-Man who had failed to save the people in the burning building before it collapsed. When her parents died, Rachel went into hysterics, and ran away. It was then that Otto began to remember. Later on, she had explained everything to him. Humph. Shows how much he listened. His mind had been so absorbed with remedying the problem; he didn't listen to Rachel's motives.
However, that didn't excuse the fact that there was a problem. He had to think of a way to fix it. He could either somehow get a new inhibitor chip onto her harness, but that would be difficult considering how he could barely get near her anymore. Perhaps he could find a way to bring her out of her mental state. What could there be though, that could possibly get her to snap out of it? Maybe he could think of something in the morning. Trudging upstairs, he walked down the hall towards his room. On his way, he passed Rachel's room. He pushed the door open and took a step inside, looking around. He looked towards her desk with her laptop on top, remembering how she used to sit there for hours on end, writing stories. He sighed, and went to his room, crawling into bed. He could only hope that his mind would come up with an idea to help Rachel, as he fell asleep.
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Rachel was exhausted. Sitting on the small cot in her cell, she thought. She had been sitting there like a statue for the past two days, thinking of a plan. That thought, that one thought had been drilled into her mind. The thought of how happy she'd feel once she had destroyed Spider-Man. Her mind had become so absorbed with coming up with a way to escape this living hell, that she had abandoned all sleep, food, and any interaction with human life. The only thing keeping her from a complete mental breakdown was the constant conversation and praise from her actuators.
:Aren't you tired, Rachel? You should be getting some sleep.:
(But we have to think of a plan, remember? Spider-Man's dead corpse in our possession is the only thing that matters right now!)
But she needs her rest, or we won't be able to get the job done right!
(But time is running out. Besides, we'll be doing most of the work.)
You can do it, Rachel. With our help, we'll be able to think up a good plan and get the job done right! Although, I must also agree with Venus.
(What?)
Venus is correct. Rachel needs her rest. We've all witnessed her decline; she's refused all food, she hasn't slept...at this rate, she'll die. Along with us...
:Really? I never thought of it that way...what do you think Rachel? Rachel...:
Rachel hung her head towards the ground, her hair falling into her pale face. She turned her eyes to the small window her in cell, her lips curling up into a twisted, maniacal grin.
"I've got it..."
Frank Castle had been sitting in the back, watching Rachel. He still didn't fully understand what kind of power those actuators had over her. But he knew she was up to something. No one could be that still for no apparent reason, especially someone as nutty as she.
He watched her just sitting there, her actuators swaying back and forth occasionally. Often they would snake down to her face, as if they were somehow communicating with her. Finally, Rachel lay down on the cot and went to sleep.
"Finally," Frank thought to himself. "She needs the rest."
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The following morning, Otto woke up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. The sun was shining, it was a beautiful morning, and he felt good about himself.
"Perhaps I have a good chance with Rachel after all..."
He went down to the basement and walked to his desk, pulling open a drawer. He reached inside and took out an extra inhibitor chip, identical to the one Rachel had. Holding it up to the light he examined it, observing to make sure it was perfect. It seemed to be in fine condition. Of course it was; Otto would never settle for making something less than his best ability! So now that he knew the problem wasn't a defective inhibitor chip, he knew what the problem was for real. It was exactly as he feared; the actuators taking on a life of their own and influencing Rachel in a way that she couldn't or wouldn't resist. Another inhibitor chip placed on her harness could help to remedy the effect; however, it would take some time for Rachel to get used to the withdrawal of the conversation her actuators provided.
Of course, there was also the issue of actually getting Rachel (and her troublesome actuators) to sit still long enough for Otto to install the chip. He needed some sort of plan, some way to coax Rachel into trusting him, just long enough for the task to be accomplished. But Otto wasn't one for formulating plots! Granted, he may be a nuclear genius and one of the world's greatest scientists, but he needed more than science for this assignment. He glanced up at his actuators, who were listening to his every thought.
"I'm going to need your help."
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:Rachel? Rachel...:
"Unnhh..."
Good morning, Rachel!
Rachel slowly opened her eyes to see two bright red lights hovering in the air, staring at her.
"Gahh!" She jumped out of bed; almost falling flat on her face, but Josh and Venus caught her. She looked out of the tiny window in the corner of her cell and squint her eyes and the bright sunlight.
"Too bad we're stuck in here..." she said to herself. "It's a beautiful day."
Walking to the front of her cell, she looked around her. Frank was sitting in the chair asleep. He had his rifle resting on his chest, his hands clasped atop it and his chin resting on the barrel. Rachel snickered. "Yeah. Real smart there, Mr. Castle." Ralph and Dexter snaked up behind her, whirring softly as they spoke.
(You seem quite refreshed. Are you ready for today?)
"Yes. Absolutely."
We're glad to hear that, Rachel. We've been pondering on a plan while you were sleeping, and we have some wonderful ideas to add to your plan.
"Tell me everything."
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Otto placed the inhibitor chip in a small plastic case and dropped it into his pocket.
"We're all set then. Everything's planned. Let's just hope we can even talk to Rachel anymore." He muttered as he walked out the door. He finally made it to the asylum. He looked at the door in front of him, keeping his mind set on what he had to do. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath, and opened the door. He walked inside and turned the corner, making his way down the hallway to Rachel's cell.
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Rachel heard footsteps approaching, gradually getting louder as the person came nearer.
"Okay. We all know what the plan is. We're ready for you, Otto."
She saw Otto turn the final corner and make it to her cell. Frank was standing up, leaning against his rifle.
"So, you're finally here, eh?" He said.
"Yes," Otto replied. "I am. If you don't mind, I'd like to have a word with Rachel privately."
Frank hesitated for a moment, and Otto gave him a seemingly interpretative look of 'I can handle this'.
"Suit yourself." He said nonchalantly, picking up his rifle. "Watch how you move." He said over his shoulder, strolling down the hall and turning the corner, disappearing out of sight.
Otto turned back and looked at Rachel. She had changed so much; she looked so degraded; her bloodied face, ratty old trench coat, and steel actuators. And yet, half of her was still the old Rachel, the smiling fangirl he met on the sidewalk in Time Square. Things had surely changed...and it was up to Otto to right them again.
"Rachel...we need to talk."
"I know...I've been thinking and... I'm sorry." She looked up at Otto, a small gleam in her eyes. "I'm sorry I've been acting this way, but...They...They understand me, They listen to me! They're the only friends I have."
"It may seem that way to you, Rachel, but They're only manipulating you. I know who you are inside, don't listen to Them! I can help you, if you only allow me to!" Otto said. Rachel cringed, the anger inside of her increasing. She didn't want to hear the same lecture again. Her actuators sensed this and tensed, ready to attack if necessary.
"I have to compose myself...or the plan will never follow through." She took a deep breath, and relaxed a bit.
"I understand," she said. "I'm...I've decided that I'm willing to let you help me."
"Are you serious about this?" Otto said, quite taken aback. He surely didn't expect it to be this easy. He slowly slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out the plastic box, holding it up for Rachel to see. "I have a new inhibitor chip for you, if you'll allow me to install it onto your harness; you'll be able to leave this place." Rachel looked at him, with a shine of hope. Otto lowered his voice a bit. "However, it will also mean that you won't be able to converse with your actuators anymore. You will have completely control over Them, and you'll never hear Their voices again." Rachel nodded slowly.
"I understand the consequences. I'm ready." She said.
Otto removed his gloves and held the inhibitor chip in his hand. He slowly walked towards Rachel, keeping an eye on her actuators at all times. Rachel turned around so her back was facing Otto. They were separated by the iron bars, although it wasn't much of a barrier to say the least. Rachel remained silent as Otto's hand moved closer to her harness, her face twisting into an insane smile.
"That's it, Otto. Just come a little bit closer..."
A/N: Wowies...I rather like the way this ended, what do you think? I originally intended for this chapter to be longer, but once again, I shortened it because of my lack of patience. I swear; I nearly fell over and passed out on the laptop finishing this chapter at 3 in the morning. But I wanted to get it done so badly! Well, that's about all, please tell me what you think, and I'll work hard to update on a semi-regular basis!