Within the Darkness

Pitch and Kat spent the day in his house and went to NexGen for the graveyard shift. Once there they realized that despite cleaning the mess, gathering all the evidence they could, and completing interviews; there were still Black Eagle staff posted in the building. General Ishwada was also still there and spotted Pitch leaving the employee changing area. “Ah, Mr. Holden. Just the man I wanted to see. I had a few questions for you.” Pitch looked up at the General. “I've already been interrogated, General. I have work to do.”

General Ishwada did a small nod. “This isn't an interrogation, I'll make it quick. I was curious, both your father and grandfather served. Why didn't you?” Pitch looked him straight in the eyes. “My father and grandfather were both drafted, they didn't choose service. In addition they had siblings. I was an only child. Also I was only nineteen when I was orphaned, so even if I signed I likely would have been turned down.” Ishwada nodded. “Your father still put you through the paces, correct?” Pitch nodded. “Standard drills, close quarters combat, the works. Not because he had a desire for me to enlist but because I was bullied from a young age for my shyness.”

Ishwada nodded. “You closed yourself off after surviving that drugged out bear or whatever it was.” Pitch nodded. “That leaves me with a question I have. Do you have any relationship with a girl named Yuri Ishwada? I didn't want to assume just because of the last name.” The general nodded. “She was… my daughter. You were in her class, correct? Did you know her well?” Pitch shook his head. “We were just five, so not really. Anything I knew I would definitely have forgotten by now. Sorry.” Ishwada looked to the floor. “No, it's fine. I should have expected that response. Her death is the reason I do this.” Pitch nodded. “If that's all I'll be getting back to work.”

Ishwada looked around. “Well the reason I brought this up is because I was wondering if you were interested in becoming a member of Black Eagle. The work has its risks but the benefits are definitely worth it. You'd be helping to protect not just your country but your people.” Pitch considered snapping at the general but managed to calm himself. “Tell me, General, what do you consider “my people”? What do you consider a person for that matter? You'd be surprised how invisible cleaning and general maintenance staff can be. You'd be surprised by the kinds of conversations I've overheard here.”

The General went slightly pale. “I have no idea what you are even talking about Mr. Holden.” Pitch grumbled. “I know what this place really is, what it really does. I know it wasn't a bear that killed your daughter. So I have to ask General Ishwada, where do you draw the line?” the General clenched his fist. “I won't lie, I have strong negative emotions tied to what happened to Yuri. I don't want anyone else to suffer the way I did. I want more than justice or vengeance. I want to prevent the past from ever repeating itself.” Pitch frowned. “Regardless of the cost? Even if it means staining your soul black as night by committing genocide on something nearly indistinguishable from a human?”

Ishwada raised his voice a bit. “It's not genocide, they don't even have DNA!” Pitch shook his head. “You can justify your mission all you want Ishwada. Saying their victims were less than human is exactly what people who commit genocide do. So if you and you are willing to kill Doppelgangers who have never committed a crime, then I would rather not take orders from you.” Ishwada looked at the floor with a clenched fist, Pitch then took a very calm tone. “What happened to your daughter was tragic, the thing that did that was no different than a wild animal. I don't blame you for going after it with extreme fervor. However, you can't let that hatred bleed over to something that had nothing to do with her death. It's natural to fear that which is different, but overcoming that fear is what removes its power.”

Ishwada sighed. “I… you're probably right. I'm just…” Pitch puts up a hand. “It's fine General, just try to keep a level head and an open mind. Otherwise you risk repeating the worst kind of mistake humans can make. I'll be getting to work now.” Pitch walked away uncontested. “Ugh, who am I to give a lecture on morality, after what I've done? It's not as if my hands are clean.” Pitch sighed “Either way I'll have to be careful if Black Eagle is going to keep this place under observation.”

Partway into cleaning, Pitch realized in the heat of the moment he forgot to ask you f Black Eagle was keeping an eye on his house. “...Ah fuck. I got so worked up I forgot what we really wanted to talk about. I hate when that happens. I'll just have to see if the General is still here when I end my shift.” Pitch continued cleaning and doing his job. Then he felt a sudden strange sensation, almost like being flicked in his mind. A sort of ping. He looked up and around to see the lights flickering for just a moment.

The strange moment passed as quickly as it came so Pitch continued with his work, eventually passing through a lab that Kathryn was working in. She was rubbing her eyes in frustration. “Everything okay Kat? You look like you've had a long day.” She looked over at Pitch and smiled. “Yeah, my new duties are definitely a bit of an energy drain. Imagine spending a good chunk of your life studying something to the point that you feel there is nothing new you could learn about it. Then suddenly have everything you knew tossed into its head. I'm over here trying to map the genome of something that has whacky not-DNA that defies every rule of genetics I thought I knew. It's still made out of normal matter though, thank God.”

Pitch looked at the equipment. “If you are working on something for the basement, shouldn't you be using the equipment in the basement?” Kathryn rubbed her eyes. “I'm trying to multitask since I still have my responsibilities up here. I could use some fresh eyes.” Pitch sighs. “Untrained eyes with no idea about anything to do with genetics?” Kathryn nodded. “Exactly! You have no preconceived notions and only know basic stuff you picked up in highschool. You might be able to see something I would miss because of my education bias.”

Pitch moved in and looked into the equipment. “Proteins, fats, all the things you'd expect to see in an organic lifeform. This screen over here, is that what its version of DNA looks like?” Kathryn nodded. “I think so, but it's nothing like anything that exists on earth.” Pitch knitted his eyebrows. “I mean… that's not entirely true. This may not exactly be the normal double helix but it still used protein pairs. However… Normally there are two different pairs of whatever you call those connecting nubbins at the end of each half. It seems in addition to it's abnormal shape it also has more then four of those creating more then two pairs. It looks uneven, it's not even uniform. It's like what you would get if you asked an artificial intelligence to create a DNA strand.”

Kathryn blinks a few times, then looks at the image. “That's… not the worst analogy. But there should be at least some sort of consistent pattern that should at least carry over from one member of a species to another. But every strand of whatever that crap is looks totally unique. There's only a small section that seems to match up.” Pitch blatantly says “Well yeah, everyone's fear is different. We respond to it differently. One person's experience with claustrophobia is going to be totally different from that of another person. So although it is claustrophobia and a Cryptid spawned from that energy will always have a similar appearance it's created from the unique experiences of multiple unique individuals.”

Kathryn’s eyes widened. “That's it! Ugh, I keep coming at this the same way I would with a normal genetics problem. I already said this wasn't normal genetics. I should be approaching this like it's an entirely new science with its own rules and look for them. Of course there would be so little overlap between two entities created from emotional energy because the people generating it are unique and flawed. There would be minor differences that wouldn't be noticeable unless you looked really close. Impurities that wouldn't be enough to be fully rejected. They would evolve not just alongside our fear but potentially gain noticeable unique traits from case to case. Part of the reason this looks like such a jumbled mess is because unlike normal reproduction there are more than two donors.”

Pitch nodded. “I'm glad I could help, I guess. However, you should write your ideas down and do whatever tests you plan to do later. You look like you need sleep.” Kathryn looked back into her equipment. “I don't need sleep, I need answers.” Pitch put a hand on her shoulder. “The answers aren't going to run away on you Kat. You can't think right in this state. Now this isn't a request, get some rest. Or I'll make you get some rest.” Kat pulled her face out of her equipment and looked at Pitch. “And how exactly do you plan on doing that?” Pitch crossed his arms. “I'll pin you into a bed and hold you down till you pass out if I have to.”

Kathryn’s face got a little red. “Y-you will?” she then shook her head. “I mean, you don't have to go that far. I'll take a break. I'd like it if you join me.” Pitch tilts his head. “I don't exactly need rest as often as you, remember? I only need to sleep once or twice a month.” Kathryn looked Pitch right in the eyes, then away. Pitch could sense a mix of emotions coming off her and shifting. “But I guess this isn't about what I need.” Pitch helps her up and walks with her to the break room and sits on a two person sofa with her. Kathryn lays her head on Pitch's lap with pitch putting his hand on her head.

Kathryn quickly dozed off and after a few minutes of sitting on the sofa, Ishwada walked into the break room to get some coffee. He freezes mid sip when he sees Pitch and Kathryn there. “I hope I'm not interrupting anything.” Pitch shook his head. “As long as you don't get too loud, the only thing here to interrupt is her nap. She's been working hard and stressing herself out. Everything she's devoted her life to has suddenly been flipped upside down.” Ishwada nods. “I definitely understand that feeling.” Pitch took the opportunity to ask something he wanted to ask earlier. “So are you still here because you are running an internal investigation?”

Ishwada tilted his head. “I'm not entirely sure what you mean.” Pitch sighed. “This building is powered by a generator in a sub basement below the secret lab. Only six people have access to that generator. In addition, the tech used by the thugs was similar to that used by Black Eagle personnel. Do the math General.” Ishwada grunts. “You're suggesting a leak?” Pitch shook his head. “Not exactly. I'm thinking one of your superiors simply got impatient.”

The General had a confused expression. “What are you suggesting?” Pitch looked Ishwada right in the eyes. “Are you really naive enough to think someone is willing to dish out the budget for these projects out of the goodness of their hearts? You really think these people give a damn about the well-being of the public? It's an investment. Did you really think all of this research was just for weapons to fight Cryptids? Cryptids are the weapons.” Ishwada takes a strict tone. “That would be a violation of the Geneva Convention.”

Pitch laughed. “Let me guess, under the assumption they count as a biological weapon? You don't think of these things as alive. Besides, is it even a war crime if you never declare war? They would have to be able to trace the weapon to the source to take it to court and the source is a civilian operation that isn't officially controlled by the governor military and merely receives oversight. Plausible deniability.” Ishwada goes pale and starts to produce a cold sweat. Pitch could tell this is something the General had considered in the back of his mind. By pointing it out all Pitch did was bring an existing fear to the surface.

Ishwada regains his composure. “I only came in here for a quick coffee, I have work to do.” He then downs the still hot beverage and marches out of the room. Pitch then goes back to brushing Kathryn’s hair with his hand. “I don't think he's a bad person. Misguided maybe, with a strong sense of justice. Maybe this will start some infighting and distract Black Eagle away from me.” Pitch then sat in silence for several minutes before gently shaking Kathryn. “I think that's a good enough Kat nap.”

Kathryn slowly wakes up before sitting up and stretching with a yawn. “That was a good nap. James, err Pitch. Time to get back to work I guess. Although… I was rather comfy.” Pitch looked Kathryn in her face. “I don't get how you can be so comfortable around me. It's one thing to deal with me out of a mutually beneficial relationship, but another to be this… intimate with me.” Kathryn got up and made herself a cup of coffee. “I don't know how to explain it but you always had a sort of effect on me. I just feel comfortable and calm whenever I know you are nearby. I feel… safe with you.”

Pitch grumbled. “You really shouldn't. Especially now. I mean I… my diet alone would frighten most.” Kathryn blew on her coffee a few times. “I know that, and it definitely bothered me a little bit at first. However, when I thought about it rationally, it stopped bothering me as much. I was easily able to get over it because despite everything you still have the same effect on me as always. In fact, now that I think about it I kind of dread going back to my house and being alone. Speaking of which, did you ever ask if there was Black Eagle surveillance at your house the other night?”

Pitch gave himself a facepalm. “God damn it, I had two chances and got distracted both times. Ugh, sorry.” Kathryn laughed. “It's fine, we've both got a lot on our minds lately.” Pitch sighed. “Let's just finish this shift so we can go home. I'll close all the curtains tonight just in case.” Kathryn nodded and the two left the break room and went about three days as if everything was normal.

While cleaning, Pitch overheard the general arguing with someone and closed in to hear better. General Ishwada was quite worked up. “I may not have the investigation experience of a cop, but I can tell when someone is lying to me or hiding something. Out of the six people with access to your generator, two were on active duty. Both saying it wasn't them and that they didn't see the other do it. When the other four were asked if either one would have had a motive to help those thugs, everyone said no, including you. Someone helped them, and it feels like your people are either truly ignorant or actively protecting the traitor.”

The man he's talking to speaks calmly. “Unless you have evidence or an actual accusation, I'm going to get back to work.” The General growled. “These people were after something in your basement.” The other man sighed. “From what Kathryn said I don't think they knew exactly what was down there, whoever put them up to it probably just told them bioweapons.” The General took a breath and calmed himself. “The thugs were killed by an Umbran, the same kind of Cryptid that I'm after. However your records don't show one in holding. Any ideas why and how it was here in the building and why it left without injuring anyone other than the thugs?”

The other man hummed. “Honestly, your guess is as good as mine. I thought there was only the one entity in the entire continent and before now it never did anything like that. The way it's acting is so different from previous reports that I can't help but conclude that somehow this is a separate entity from the one responsible for the tragic events of twenty one years ago. It was theorized that the Umbrans were capable of reproduction via mitosis, similar to an amoeba. This would make it one of the few Cryptids capable of self replication separate from its source or origin.”

The General grumbled. “Same entity or not, Unbrans are too dangerous to be kept in captivity. I know you probably would like to study one, but I'm letting you know now. I'm doing what I feel is necessary for the good of humanity, and will not hesitate to eliminate any and every Umbran and other fully hostile Cryptid there is.” The other man took a moment to respond. “I understand how you feel. If that is everything I'm due to check on the generator soon.” The General responded quickly. “I would like to investigate the generator room.” The other man, already walking away, waved at the General without turning around. “That request has already been denied by both myself and your superiors.”

Pitch waited a while before moving his cleaning closer to Ishwada. The General looked at Pitch. “Were you eavesdropping just now?” Pitch smiled at the General. “I don't know what you're talking about. What reason would I have to do that? It's not like I'm performing my own investigation into this matter on my own or anything.” Ishwada chuckled. “So that's how this is. Okay. Well if you were to do such a thing with your science friend I would theoretically ask to exchange notes. Of course this is all hypothetical.”

Pitch nodded. “Just to ask, hypothetically, do you still have a reason to keep my home under observation?” Ishwada knitted his brow. “I ordered no such observation. I considered it but felt it was unnecessary considering your history. So if someone from my organization is spying on you, I didn't send them.” Pitch hummed. “I caught someone creeping in my window last night. I thought about calling the cops but figured maybe I was still under investigation because I was on the floor of the event but witnessed nothing.”

Ishwada shook his head. “If you are, I'm not the one behind it. I'll ask around just in case.” Pitch bowed lightly. “I'd appreciate it. I'll get back to work then. See you around.” Ishwada grumbles. “Unfortunately, the people I work for want me to move on and focus on something I can make actual progress on. They want results, not lengthy investigations.” Pitch nodded. “Aye, but I still might bump into you.” The General nodded and handed Pitch a card with his number on it. “If you happen upon any information you think is useful, don't hesitate to call. Consider me an ally in your search for answers.”

General Ishwada bows lightly and walks down the hallway leaving Pitch to finish cleaning. After a shift that felt surprisingly long, pitch met up with Kathryn outside of the NexGen building. “Ready to go?” Kathryn hesitated a moment before nodding. “Is it okay if… I want to sleep in your bed again?” Pitch shrugged. “I don't see why not. Even if I needed to sleep I normally do so in my true form using the bathtub.” Kathryn turned a bit red. “O-oh. I was kind of hoping that… it would be like last time.” Pitch looked at her and knitted his brow. “You want to… sleep in the bed with me? What are you, my girlfriend now?”

Kathryn got even redder than before. “No. I mean I- I just feel safer with you there is all.” Pitch sighed. “You can't say you just want to be friends if you keep requesting to share a bed with me. Even if all we do is cuddle with clothes on, that's not something normal friends do. If you want a different kind of relationship, something more than just friendship, you should just be forthright about it.”

Kathryn poked her index fingers together and mumbled something Pitch couldn't hear. “My hearing is good, but not that good Kat, you'll have to speak up.” Kathryn spoke just a little louder. “I wouldn't exactly be opposed to it… I had… a crush on you in highschool.” Pitch tilted his head. “I was human then, or at least mostly human. How could you possibly be interested in me as I am now?” Kathryn shifted back and forth and mumbled. “I don't know…” Pitch sighed. “I mean I did think you were cute back then so if things were different I definitely would have asked you out back then. You don't look much different now, we get along well enough. It's just… how would that work?”

Kathryn shrugged. “We could… figure that out. Cross that bridge if and when we come to it. One step at a time. If things don't or can't work out for one reason or another I'm sure we are both capable of maintaining a professional relationship afterwards.” Pitch sighed and started walking to his car. “I would say this feels weird but honestly with all the crazy stuff going on, dating someone is probably the most normal thing among them. Only strange thing is everything around it. So I guess I… I don't know. I can take tonight to see how I feel about it and I'll let you know in the morning.” Kathryn gave an enthusiastic nod. The two entered the car and went to Pitch's house.