Of What Measure is a Non-Human (Invite Only)

[mugenginga]

River gave Simon a concerned look as he walked over to Zero, telling her and Makoto to stay back. She frowned and gave one of her patented glares towards Zero, but did as her older brother said. Makoto still didn't seem entirely with it and jerked back when Zoe tried to pull him away, but a glare from River had him sitting up in surprise, looking at her in borderline fear, and scurrying over to the side - away from River. River frowned and sat down, seemingly upset by something.

Zoe kept her eyes on Zero and her gun cocked, pointed at the white haired man as Simon waved the small container under his nose. There was a sudden spasm that had Zoe fingering her trigger. Simon would realize it was probably quite a bit more violent than what was normal, but he wouldn't have much a chance to react as Zero grabbed his arm and his eyes popped open. The grip was iron, but Zero didn't even seem to realize what was going on in front of his eyes for a few moments before he shoved Simon backwards and got to his feet.

...and then proceeded to stare at his hand. He clenched it in and out several times, apparently unable to get whatever he was attempting to happen. He turned towards the tree behind him and punched it, hissing in pain and drawing the slightly bloodied knuckles back. He had a nasty grimace.

[Jilak]

Simon was unsure of how to respond at first. He could have always complained about Zero's rude shove, or he could have made him aware of the captain's plight, but he wasn't so sure Zero would be privy to help simply because of it. So instead he did what Mal would do in this situation. He lied.

"I'm not sure how much you remember of what just happened, or how your powers are holding up. But I need you. The people who did this to you, they've given us a quest. They want us to find the bits to build a portal generator. It'll lead us directly to them, and you can enact your revenge." In this moment, Simon wasn't the meek, demure Simon he was on Serenity. He was the Simon that had successfully infiltrated an Alliance facility and rescued his sister.

"All I ask is that you allow me to assist. They're part of the Alliance, which means they hurt my sister. I won't allow that to stand. I want to watch as they exhale their last breaths, and beg for mercy. I want to be there to say 'no'. Will you help me?" Simon asked, crossing his arms.

[mugenginga]

Zero had gone back to looking at his hand, attempting to do whatever he'd been trying to do before. He didn't really even appear to be hearing Simon. It was only when Simon described what he wanted to see happen to the men from before that he looked up, an arrogant and bemused expression on his face. His eyes didn't carry a glint within a mile of being sane, either, "Come now, doctor, everyone here knows you aren't that violent."

Zoe made her gun click, "He might not be, but do you want to question my willingness to blow your brains out? As far as I'm concerned we're in this mess because of you, so I can't say I'd see a problem with that solution. Can't exactly have you helping on the quest if you're dead, can we?"

Zero glared at her, "If you're that eager to shoot me, do it. If I understand this man over here, you need my help, right?"

Worth note was that Zero didn't seem to be acting as if the gun wouldn't do him any damage. River's expression shifted to a frown and she ran forward, moving fast enough to avoid Zoe catching her as she went past. She glared at Zero for a moment, and the man's eyes widened... and he jerked his head towards Simon, suddenly tackling him against a tree and lifting him off the ground. He was quite literally snarling, and Simon would be getting a pretty damn good look all the way to his back teeth.

"You didn't mention anything about her being psychic!"

Zoe cussed under her breath. She couldn't hit Zero like this without hitting Simon. A quick glance to her side revealed... she probably wouldn't have to.

"Put him down!" River demanded.

[Jilak]

Simon was taken aback for a moment. He didn't really realise what had happened until he felt a sharp pain in his back, from Zero tackling him against a tree. Even then it took a moment for Zero's words to register, before Simon realised that, yes, the situation had once more spiralled down. Awakening Zero might not have been the best of ideas, but right now, it was their only option. It was another moment before Simon could respond.

"You're right. I left out that piece of information, because it was irrelevant to the case at hand. But if we're going to trust each other, we need full disclosure. River's psychic, and you're a sentient virus. You'll have to live with it. What do you think is going to happen here? The captain didn't even want River and I on his boat in the first place, so I doubt Zoe would think twice of shooting you, even if it meant wounding me. Look around you. This gallery of rogues and thieves? We're each other's only hope. If you go out there, alone on this island, someone will kill you. It may even be one of us. Don't take that chance." Simon began, getting his wits once more about him.

"Don't test me. I'm a doctor, I know everything there is to know about the body. You're not human, but you seem to be human enough to feel pain. It's surprising exactly how much pain the human body can be put through before it finally succumbs, and dies. So many pieces can be removed, so many areas cut. Don't make me go there with you. You won't like it." To enunciate his point, Simon returned Zero's snarl.

[mugenginga]

River looked ready to spring at a moment's notice, but she appeared to be giving Simon some leeway and time to react. At least long enough for Zero to make up his mind. Zero's snarl turned into a deranged smile and he moved in closer to Simon, either not heeding or not caring about his thread. He pointed backwards towards River. Zoe, meanwhile, had her gun fixed, but was watching River for the time being. It migth be better to let her handle the situation... she'd shown herself capable before. Makoto had sat up and was now watching with terror at the situation Zero had put Simon in. Zero spoke.

"Tell me, how do you know she's human?" Zero said, "Did you see her born?"

[Jilak]

"I was in the hospital when she was born. I saw the joy in my mother and father's faces when they told me they had a daughter. I know she's human, because they let me hold her, on the way home. She was so adorable. I know she's human, because I'm her older brother. Because she's the only good thing in my life. Because when I saved her from the facility that tried to break her mind, oh how we embraced. Yes. I saw her born. But even if I hadn't, I'd know. Because I've always been there for her, and I always will." Simon broke his façade, and for a moment, for one brief moment, he smiled.

But then his expression darkened.

"But at the same time, you've just used up your one warning." In a flash, Simon had pulled Zoe's gun from his waist, thumbing the safety off and holding the the barrel to Zero's head.

"Let me go. We don't have time for this."

[mugenginga]

Zero frowned as Simon went on. One could be fooled, especially if the one fooling them didn't even know themselves. Not all the psychics had powers over the universe and time, after all. But he let Simon continue. It seemed good enough. He could feel River's eyes glaring at him. It was almost a pity she was human, in a way... he blinked as Simon held the gun to his head. He frowned and gave a shrug, dropping Simon from his grasp - he'd probably land a little roughly on the ground. Without looking to see if he was in danger from the man's gun, he walked forward past River, who was dashing towards Simon with a worried look on her face.

Zero glanced at Makoto, the way he was cringing, and looked back at Simon.

"Is he psychic as well?"

"It doesn't matter," Zoe answered before anyone else could, "He'll be staying here."

Zero frowned for a moment and looked back down at the boy, "Mew and Mewtwo were never that cowardly anyways..." He looked back towards Simon, "You stated we were going to some facility?"

[Jilak]

Simon breathed an inaudible sigh of relief as he was released. He didn't want this to be the day he broke his Hippocratic oath. Not today. He then gave a soft nod to River as she dashed to him, sort of an inaudible 'yes, I'm okay'. He didn't like where that situation had gone. He didn't want to be that person. Never again. He made sure the once more turn the safety on, putting Zoe's gun back in its spot.

"Right. The two gentlemen with the blue gloves mentioned an abandoned lab of some sort in the Industrial Park. They told us your help would be necessary. I believe them to be in control of the facility. There the man said we would find the first piece needed for a portal generator. Afterwards, he said he'd be in contact. You and I will go in, while Zoe, Makoto and River hold down the... clearing. At some point we should probably consider setting up a camp." Simon responded, stumbling a bit from his slightly rough landing.

"I trust that you know your way, somewhat, around the Island?" Simon asked. He didn't actually... have directions.

[mugenginga]

Zero gave Simon an unbelieving look. He didn't know the way. He rolled his eyes and looked towards the sky. Humans and their priorities. After a moment he looked down.

"I've been to the Industrial Park before. Where I met that fellow your captain went and booted off the team, to be precise," Zero smirked, "Couldn't stop laughing about how 'pretty' I was."

"Simon..." River wanted to say she wanted to go with him, but it would be a lie. She didn't think he should be going either. She ran up to him and grabbed his hand, making sure he was looking down at her, "Be careful, Simon."

"Are we going, then?" Zero asked. He'd begun to walk, but stopped to look back at Simon. He looked away before Simon could answer and grabbed some of his hair off the ground, adjusting the makeshift ties he'd put in earlier. That fall down and glitch before had set his hair loose again.

[Jilak]

Simon looked down at River. He looked worried for a brief moment. River was a seer. Her worry here meant that she felt something bad was going to happen. Which meant something bad was going to happen. But he didn't want her to be as worried as he was, so instead he put on a warm smile and gave her an equally as warm, yet quick, hug. He had a mission to do here. Malcolm had treated this like a war, and if the men that stripped River's amygdala were involved... it was.

He quickly caught up with Zero, evening out to an adequate pace. He wasn't entirely sure he could trust the man. Truth be told, he probably couldn't. Probably why the captain had brought him on. He seemed fond of those that others didn't trust. Case in point, Jayne. He used to trust Jayne.

"This probably won't be a simple in-out job. The men from before made it sound like we were going to have a hell of a time getting in. Think you can get your powers to work if we run into trouble?" Simon asked, his only question for the entire, he assumed, long trek.

[mugenginga]

Zero frowned at Simon's question and glared at him, but didn't respond. At least not until the other three were out of sight. And then he turned around and pointed, "Did you see what happened back there? With that captain of yours? I don't think you realize what it means."

Zero turned around and continued walking, "My 'powers' seem to be connected to when they damn well feel like letting it. If they want you alive, they'll probably work just fine."

He gave a dark chuckle, "If they don't, well... It' snot my problem, is it?"