Senseless - noimkindamogus - Roblox (Video Game) [Archive of Our Own] (2024)

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"Hello! I am Beiji Hy, and today is XX-XX-2013. We at Urbanshade are currently checking out our newest creation: Z-13! This thing is SICK. You guys gotta check it out. Camera coming through!"

A team of researchers were gathered in a lab, observing Z-13 in its cell. It sat against the wall unmoving. It had wrapped its arms around itself, probably to warm itself up considering it didn't have any clothes and the room was rather cold. One of the scientists, Dr. B. Hy, was holding a video camera, documenting the day's events. A clipboard in the scientist's hand mapped out the day's schedule, and in just a few minutes they were going to take Z-13 from the cell and down the hall for some further testing. No more DNA to be administered, only analytical processes. The researchers had no idea what to expect from Z-13, considering its behavior the previous day.

"Uhh... You know you don't have to act like this is a family vlog?" Researcher S. Halloran remarked towards Hy.

Acting as if they had been greatly insulted, Hy threw their hands up. "Or maybe let me have fun? Back me up, Alexxxxx!"

Their fellow coworker A. Petrova shrugged. "I just think Dr. Lorie would prefer you to be a little more professional. Getting to handle Z-13 is a pretty big responsibility for us, so I'd rather not have you get us in trouble with the shenanigans."

"As if I care what he thinks." Hy huffed.

"You guys stop it." P. Peaco*ck groaned. The final researcher present in the team, K. Kehaulani, nodded along, tired of the useless yet expected spats the team would often have.

"Well, we may as well actually start the documentation." Halloran looked towards the camera, assuming a good posture. "Yesterday, we witnessed a lot of surprising behaviors from Z-13. Of course, being the first time it was conscious after experimentation was complete, it seemed disoriented and lethargic until Parker had to come in, trying to explain the situation to it. Afterwards, it walked up to the one-way glass we're using to watch it right now-" He motioned for Hy to shortly shift the camera towards the window before turning back to him. "It seemed to be processing its own reflection for hours, until night eventually came. At some point it was observed shaking and silently crying on the ground, until finally resting. After 134 minutes, it awoke again, suddenly crying much louder before unexpectedly devolving into a screaming fit. This lasted for 17 minutes on end."

"I literally couldn't sleep-"

"We know Kalisa, thank you for the very important input, now shoo while we talk about something that actually matters." Halloran waved Kehaulani off as she grumbled off-camera.

Petrova seemed downcast. "I feel kind of bad for it. Do you think it did that because it was sad about everything that happened to it, or-"

"Let's not be ridiculous. We were very clearly told that Z-13 has mostly been wiped mentally, no personality or sense of self should remain. Not even the memory of what it did to end up like this." Peaco*ck yawned.

"Yeah, I think it's kind of just a wild animal now. No reason to give a sh*t about its feelings." Hy fiddled with the pencil in their fingers. "My best guess is it simply just doesn't like being trapped, like any animal."

"Anyways. We will now be transporting Z-13 from its cell to the lab, let's hope this goes well. Me and Beiji will watch from the window." Halloran joined Hy as they both stared at Z-13, still sitting against the wall.

Z-13 was startled by the click of the door unlocking. Three researchers, one of them being the man who spoke to it yesterday, were waiting outside the door.

Z-13, despite what the higher-ups had claimed, still had the memories of its life, and everything it had gone through to end up here. It could still think, solve complex problems, and even speak if it wanted to. It still felt like a person, and still knew who it was.

All of that, however, completely fell away the second the three began taking their steps into its cell.

It felt like its mind was unraveling as each footstep echoed across the room, its consciousness slipping quickly out of sight.

Any logical thought was swiftly consumed by the void. Most of the intelligent processes going on inside its head, everything from its old life to its own name. Eventually, only one conclusion remained.

These people want to hurt you.

In that moment, Z-13 only felt small and afraid. Despite being twice as tall as a human with the added tail length, everything about it felt weak and helpless. But more than ever, the approaching researchers felt especially fearsome, as if they were towering over it.

The two standing at the observation window watched nervously. All personnel had a taser on them just in case anything went wrong, so they had faith that no one was going to get hurt. Either way, the thought that Z-13 could potentially attack was a lasting imprint on their mind.

One figure stepped to the front of the group, and the animal seemed to realize that the time for action was now. It slowly tensed up, and all three of the scientists inched their hands towards their pockets just in case.

Instead of lunging at them, the creature suddenly slammed itself backwards against the wall, beginning to pant heavily. Still unsure whether this was just an attempt to attack them with extra steps, the scientists stood back, staring the monster down.

But, in spite of how easy it was to choose to fight, Z-13 was set on another option: Flight. And with nowhere to escape to, all it could do was try to bury itself into the wall. It began a low growl, unhinging its jaw like a snake and flashing it’s teeth, only an empty threat trying to make them leave. One could look into the bright blue eyes and see no resolve, only paralyzing fear.

“Oh sh*t, I forgot it can do that.”

“Shh!” Halloran shushed Hy, enthralled by the current scene.

Z-13 continued the staring contest with its adversaries, just wanting to be left alone. As they stood their ground and it realized they weren’t threatened, it began to break composure, its growl faltering as hot tears began to stream down its face. It remained bearing its teeth, so the sight of the two things combined was one to see indeed.

And the scientists just kept staring, a hint of bewilderment on their face but not backing down. Eventually the one in the front nodded their head as if a cue, and they closed in on Z-13 once more.

Desperation was at the forefront of its mind. Its thoughts turned in loops, around and around again. It began making rapid yelps of distress, just as any animal would. These sounds came out rather grotesquely from its strained vocal cords.

The closer they got the less Z-13 could think. It tried to make itself as flat against the wall as possible, snarling through its cries. Using its hands it began swiftly maneuvering itself across the wall and into the corner to buy itself time, its large tail trailing behind it.

As it was backed into the corner with no way to slip out, it began shrinking into itself, trying to disappear entirely. It burrowed its head into its tail and covered the top of their head with the arms, reduced to shaky breaths before breaking out in small whimpers.

One scientist, having no idea what to do, kneeled down and began to speak sweet nothings to Z-13 in hopes of getting it to cooperate. It continued its pitiful display all the same, nothing more than a spectacle to watch.

Eventually, the three walked back into the observation room, closing the door behind them just in case.

“So, clearly it isn’t in the mood for a trip.” Petrova deadpanned. “Seems it’s just acting on its animal instincts and nothing else. Sharkie, want me to call for sedation? There is no way in hell I’m gonna try prying that thing off of the wall. It’s huge!”

“Do it then already.” Halloran pointed them to the door.

Kehaulani sighed. “Not sure what you guys expected, it’s literally a wild animal now. And Parker you looked real stupid trying to talk to it as if it even understands English anymore.”

“Worth a shot.” Peaco*ck didn’t even bat an eye at her. Everyone was mostly drained from
even a minute of trying to deal with Z-13. It was like watching a train wreck having to care for that thing.

Back in its cell, Z-13 was slowly recovering from its mental crash. Its breathing slowed and it regained its composure. Its mind began piecing back together and from the deep waters of incoherency, the man trapped far inside came back to the surface.

He didn’t have much memory of what had happened. It felt as if he was trapped in a tidal wave, being swept away from the shore. Unable to stop himself from sinking, feeling his body moving without control. It felt terrifying being stuck like that.

He hated it so, so much.

-

Years later, Sebastian found the video camera on the same table those scientists used to sit at. After scientists S. Josephine, B. Lakewood, and S. M. Shamone arrived to properly sedate him before transport, they suggested to the group not to use that footage for a professional log, opting to allow another, more serious team to record one instead.

Despite all remaining at the company after management was kind enough to only give them a harsh warning to improve their childish behavior, the scientists, Halloran, Hy, Kehaulani, Peaco*ck and Petrova, were later all confirmed to have been consumed by Z-96 during the containment breach, nothing more than meat used to support a structure of a mindless beast.

Isn’t it funny how that works?