IC contact post

[fightswithpurpose]

"Hello, this is Nelliel. I'm not available right now, but please leave a message. Thank you."

Comments

[scienceshow]

[Ring, ring!!!]

[fightswithpurpose]

[Nelliel isn't happy with Szayel, but she won't ignore his phone call.]

Hello, Szayel. Yes, I am taking care of your kittens.

[scienceshow]

Nelliel...

[The voice on the other end is hushed and concerned, with an edge of fear and panic. It was nothing like what Szayel's voice was supposed to sound like, but it was definitely his voice on the other end.]

I'm glad, but I need you to listen right now.

[fightswithpurpose]

[She's not sure if she can recall ever hearing Szayel's voice sound exactly like that. It does get her attention.]

What is going on?

[scienceshow]

[It better, dammit.]

Nel... I've made a mistake. I never thought humans could be worse than me.

SERO is making me take the fall for everything that happened the night of the blizzard. But I didn't do it. My only orders were to build the CY-N1Ns. The code was altered after the fact so they would go berserk.

[fightswithpurpose]

[The sheer fact that Szayel is admitting to making a mistake without the slightest hint of sarcasm or reference to his 'perfection' says a lot for how distressing the situation is for him.

She sighs, taking a moment to think of what she can possibly say. 'Everything is going to be all right' was just patronizing and dishonest. It doesn't take long before she does think of something, though.]

If there is one thing I've learned about humans, it is that they like to keep records of nearly everything. Were your orders ever given in writing, and did you have to document your progress on the CY-N1Ns?

[scienceshow]

I'm not certain. I documented my progress, of course, but that and any other correspondences would be in my lab at SERO headquarters.

[IE, probably altered or destroyed already.]

Nel... what I did to Shikamaru. That is true, I did make him one of the CY-N1Ns. I suspected something was going wrong, and... well, you know how I feel in regards to Ishida-kun. He was prime material as far as I was concerned.

[Szayel paused, letting out a weary sigh.]

I will plead guilty to that. That is my fault, but the rest is not. I need your help in that, Nelliel; I need you to find a lawyer that will defend my case.

[fightswithpurpose]

Where exactly was your lab in SERO headquarters? And was it saved on a computer or printed out on paper?

[She wants to see if anything about this could be retrieved. She's still displeased about what he did to Shikamaru, but it's better to hear that he wasn't unleashing the CY-N1Ns on the city.]

I will do what I can. In the meantime, tell me where I can find evidence to support your case. The more you can think of, the better. Also, I want you to be prepared for community service. You are guilty of some crimes, but not everything you are accused of, and you have skills and knowledge to offer in exchange for your relative freedom. If you look like you are seeking to make amends for what you have done, that will help your case.

[scienceshow]

[In some alternate universe Szayel would feel bad about manipulating someone as sweet and kind as Nelliel. Fortunately, this isn't that universe.]

If there's anything left, it would be in my lab. It's on the bottom floor, R-and-D division, lab number eight. If... if by some chance, you can convince Ishida, he knows exactly where it is.

[fightswithpurpose]

[Nelliel's voice becomes a little more stern at that suggestion.]

After what you did to Shikamaru, I am not going to ask Ishida to do anything to help you. I am going to hire a professional.

[With Szayel's money. He did leave nearly half a million for her to distribute accordingly. Using some of it for his legal fees and to pay for the retrieval of the documents seems fitting.]

[scienceshow]

Yes, I... I just...

[Szayel let out a tired sigh, sounding just so horribly broken.]

[fightswithpurpose]

I will make certain that it is investigated and I will find a lawyer for you, Szayel.

[She's still not too pleased with him, but she does try to be responsible for the well being of the other Espada.]

Is there something I can bring you that the prison guards will allow? Books, perhaps?

[scienceshow]

...thank you.

[Oh god, he sounds like he means it. Clearly, he has been put through Hell in the past few days.]

I am confined to solitary, and they won't allow me anything. I had to fight for this phone call.

[fightswithpurpose]

Then I will find a lawyer, and your lawyer should be able to argue your rights with the prison guards effectively.

[scienceshow]

[Whatever thank you Szayel had for Nel, it was interrupted by another voice, no doubt a guard. Szayel could be heard saying, "I still have a minute!", before the sound of someone getting tackled hit the phone, and the line went silent until it was finally hung up.]