fissionmailed | //The day is breaking now, it's time to go away

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vestri_vires

//The day is breaking now, it's time to go away

[There is a laboratory on the fifth floor that is already back in use following the blackout. Otacon and Sunny had been hard at work to set this place up following their theft of half a computer lab and most of the technology on one particular floor. Now, this exceptionally secure facility - for the husband of a Liquid, paranoia was normal - was back in action already, though most of the security features needed to be reset. Finally, he could run those tests. For a while, all that could be heard from the room was strange noises, whirring, clicking, the whining of machinery.]

[Inside the room, the laboratory probably reminded one of that of a mad scientist. Several computers had been modified and linked together over one wall. One of them was lit up, displaying a video feed from the MK4 as it diligently returned to base for checking over before he could send it after Liquid again. Dismantled machinery and the odd strange contraption were scattered all over. There were notes and blueprints, the odd miniature robot (made out of careful boredom) and a few carefully made paper cranes. A bookshelf covered most of one wall, filled with various books stolen from the library and found lying around. Only one table was relatively clear - the one at which Otacon sat.]

[That table was almost entirely clear, save for a notepad, a few pens, one or two tools - and what appeared to be a mechanical hand. It had taken a lot of work, and he still was trying to find a better method of attachment, but it seemed to be working fine. He carefully set it back into the stand, watching as the fingers curled and twitched on command from the program he'd used to test them. The problem was that it needed testing from the man who would use it as well. He swung himself over to one of the computers, tapping in a command. It was easier to call the radio through the microphone there than to fuss around with the codec and hope it worked.]

(

volginswaifu will be getting a call, but Otacon's lab is currently open if anyone wants to bother, since Otacon hasn't gotten the systems back online for security yet. He's been a little distracted by robotics. )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Raikov furrowed his brow a bit, but he just smiled awkwardly.]

Sure, however it works is fine if it means I get to have a hand again...

[He worded himself gently.]
Trust me, nothing can compare to the pain that was having it...taken off.

[He nodded, slowly.]

I won't fix it on permanently - we'll use a temporary method for now. You'll have to get used to it before we can do that, otherwise it will be rather difficult for you. And it will be hard to control at first.

[Carefully, he detached the hand from the stand it was on, watching as the fingers spasmed then curled in on themselves as the power drained from it. Words flickered over the nearby screen of the laptop he had been using to test it.]

Just give me your arm a minute...

Makes sense...
[He mumbled, now eyeing the hand nervously. It was truly easier said than done, but he held his arm out, bandages still wrapped securely around it.]

...[He hadn't even looked under them to see the scaring.]

[He gently pushed the man into his chair, setting the arm down so he could carefully remove them. Otacon was no doctor - he'd needed the help of several to figure this part out - but he was smart enough to tell whether it would be possible yet or not. It looked fine.]

Alright. Just brace yourself.

[The end of the hand was like a thin, strong glove - it would fit carefully over the stump and "connect" to the nerves inside via several small needles. It would be painful, uncomfortable, but gradually the man would get used to it. Carefully, he fitted it on, strapping the arm on temporarily rather than permanently affixing it.]

Ready?

[And with that, he carefully activated the needles, allowing it to connect to the nervous system. Most likely, he supposed, the hand would spasm from the pain, responding to the mental signals.]

Ready...

[Raikov clenched his jaw, squeezing his eyes shut and grunting in pain. Like Otacon predicted, his robotic hand twitched and clenched itself into an awkward, partially arranged fist.]

Nng...fff...
[It hurt, but he just tried to concentrate on something else. His mind wandered to ripping Talib's throat out, to drawing again, to Yevgeny and the older Ivan, and to beating Pierre in their petty competition.]

[Gradually, he knew, the body would adjust to the intrusion - but it would still hurt for quite a while.]

I have painkillers if you need them, but they might interfere with the tests. Just try to relax. Once you're ready, see if you can move the fingers at all. Just like you would your original hand.

[He breathed suddenly, having been bating his breath. Opening his eyes, they squinted in pain.]

Guh...no, we can do the te...ff...tests first.

[He leaned his head back, the muscles in his right arm tense and ridged.]
I just need a, a minute...

Take all the time you need.

[He carefully checked the computer to see where the MK4 was now. At least those systems hadn't gone to hell when the blackout occured.]

Just try to get used to it.

[While he was waiting, he might as well work on fixing up the security systems. The ones that locked the door, for instance. And he'd need to add E.E. to the voice recognition system... But that could come later. He carefully sat down in front of the computers, working quickly on fixing the interrupted programming as he waited for Raikov to be ready.]

Talk to me, if that will help. Keep yourself focused on something else.

[Raikov groaned, mechanical hand still tightly clenched.]

Uh...why don't you tell me about this thing.
I'm interested.

Hm? The hand?

[He glanced back at him before resuming his rapid typing.]

The needles connect to the nerves in your arm. Inside each of them are tiny, minute wires capable of sending quick signals between the hand and the mind though the nervous system. It's very sensitive to thought - it will respond just as your normal hand would. There is a slight problem with it being stronger than your normal hand, however - you're going to need some practice with it before you should handle anything too fragile with it. Good thing is, it's a lot less fragile than your own hand - once it's fixed on properly, it isn't coming off until you say it's coming off. And it can take a lot of damage, too.

[Raikov looked down at his hand, still throbbing in pain, but the edge was wearing off.]

...Well, I can say I'm extremely grateful, Emmerich. I'm still shocked by your generosity...

[He concentrated on uncurling his fist, and it worked, though he did have to clench his teeth again, exhaling.]

Considering the pain you're going through, I'd say it was the least I could do. I only wish I could make it painless. But the only other valid option would be surgery, to get your arm cut open again - and I thought you wouldn't be too happy with that.

[He glanced back around, watching as he saw it move.]

That's good. It'll take a while to get used to.

The pain of attaching it is well worth what I'm getting...
[He frowned a bit; he didn't need more scars from surgery.]

[He sighed, letting his fingers go lax.]
...Is it waterproof?

Yes, it's fully protected from water, as long as the metal isn't damaged.

...I can't say it'll respond too well to electricity, so if anyone tries to use a stun knife or anything like that on it, be very careful. The more permanent method of holding it in place can still be removed, so you can take it off whenever you need to - I advise only using it for short times until you're used to it. If possible, I'd like you to come back to get it checked over for faults every so often - the security systems should be back online, so you'll need to call me before you come down and I can let you in.

I see...[He eyed the hand, taking specific note of the electricity factor.]

...Is it going to hurt every time I take it off and reattach it?
Is once a week good for getting it checked? [He idly moved his ring finger.]

Most likely, yes, but I'm working on a way for it to inject painkillers into your system in the process. And once a week is fine. Once we're sure it isn't malfunctioning, we can reduce the times you have to come down.

[...he's pretty pleased with himself for making it, though he's worried about the man's pain.]

[Another weary look, but at least Emmerich seemed to be working on a solution.]
Okay...is there anything wrong with keeping it on all the time, though? After I get used to it.

There's nothing wrong with wearing it once you get used to it- it's a lot lighter than I expected it to be, so it won't put too much strain on your arm. But I do advise you take it off at least to sleep. Otherwise you might accidentally hurt yourself - or anyone else you sleep with. It's just that for now, the pain might be too bad to handle for long periods.

[Raikov didn't plan to wear it to sleep anyway, but he could see Emmerich's reasoning, and planned to follow it.]
Okay...I think I'm ready to test it now.

[This is an Otacon. And... this is a wheeled office chair shooting over to stop beside you with an Otacon sitting on it.]

Alright then. We just have to see how well it responds, how well you handle it. Can you flex your fingers, one by one?

[Well, that was surprising.]

Right. [He did so, though at times he'd move the wrong finger, or more than one at a time. If not that, they went in odd directions.]

That's good! Not bad, for a first try. Just keep trying. Once you can flex them all properly, we can try other things.

[He watched caefully, taking notes.]

[He tries this for a while, wincing and growling in frustration on occasion. Eventually, with enough concentration he seems to be able to move each finger individually.]

That's good!

[He looked pleased.]

Now, we should probably rest before trying anything harder. Do you need anything?

[He slumped back in the chair, closing his eyes and trying to will the throbbing in his hand to go away.]

I'm fine.
...what's the next test going to be?

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