The referenced album title of Part 37.2 was Things Falling Apart by Nine Inch Nails... a companion album to The Fragile. Did you remember like I told you to?
[s2_29.3: Part 37.3] The Destructive Condition
<22121108>
Sunday, November 8th, 2212
Omega Harbour, Perth, Australia.
<20:48:20_>
<omega harbour: med fwd_>
<race: lap 36 of 67_>
01. FUJ616.0.43.194 (#43 | Kyoko Fujisaki | AX2.0_r2)
02. ARD889.1.19.194 (#19 | Gareth Ardos | AX2.0_r2) +0.120
06. SCA308.0.7.329 (#7 | Lucia Scarlatti | F0-RA8/00095) +16.306
14. TUR847.1.13.329 (#13 | Leon Turner | F0-RA8/00127) +28.294
Looking at the race's progression, Brandon could see clearly that there was something horribly, horribly wrong. Gareth's racing style was more perfectionist than ever, a display of pure, determined racing that he had never seen before. Kyoko, on the other hand, was all over the place. The racing style she had adopted was wild and rough. While there were no opponents to attack, she was overall violent.
'Violent?' He thought. "....OH CRAP... sh-she... she was right... it's happening."
Brandon was worried for a reason, he recalled a meeting he had with Nikole after the Stoica incident...
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Monday, June 15th, 2212
"Because my trust in you has been regained, I'll hear you out. What's the info you have? What's wrong with Tarah?"
"Didn't I tell you at the start of the year? We need some kind of payment."
"As long as it doesn't negatively affect our financial status or our participation in the league."
She thought for a moment, before making her proposition. "Okay, how about this. That car you've shown off, the Neko, I believe it was?"
"What about it?"
"It was really an announcement for Angelus' participation in the World Rally Championship, yeah?"
"Yes."
"Drop out."
"Drop out? From the WRC?"
"Yes, retract your intention to participate. It will do nothing but help you focus more on the F12000."
After some deliberation, Brandon responded. "Fine. As soon as I get the chance, I'll make the announcement, but officially, Angelus will not intend to participate in the WRC as of today."
"Fantastic. Now, the information... We have reason to believe Tarah is under the influence of something called 'The Condition'. The symptoms depend on the host, but basically, it can either cause someone to have extremely violent thoughts without reason, or the more subtle effect, making them more sociopathic."
Brandon had his eyes closed in thought. Suddenly he snapped them open.
"...Sol 3 eliminator..." He muttered.
"What?"
"Nothing... So, is there a cure for this... 'Condition'?"
"That also has to do with it's origins." Her eyes flicked briefly to Alex, then back at Brandon. "It's origins can be traced back to an event that occurred in 2209... Crinale's infiltration of the abandoned Tigron building."
"Sh*t." Alex exclaimed loudly. "I know exactly what you're talking about. When we salvaged that Tigron data, there was one piece that we never used. It detailed an experimental drug that would make their pilots more aggressive."
"Exactly. What you didn't know was that the active compound increased in potency in the 39 years that it lay there unused. When you broke in, that chemical was able to be released into the atmosphere."
"...what? Is... that true?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
Alex placed her hands behind her head... then slammed it on the desk.
"It... was all my fault." She mumbled, her head still planted on the desk. "God... F*CKING DAMN IT!"
Both Brandon and Nikole flinched at Alex's outburst. Slowly, she raised her head, placing her hands on the desk, then suddenly bowed her head down.
"Please... Let me help... I'll do whatever it takes, just let me fix this!" She begged.
After a moment's consideration, Nikole accepted Alex's proposition. "Sure, let's do this. I will need to test you to see if you aren't affected, if you aren't, then I will be more than willing to help you."
"First off, however, I need Crinale back in my hands, the data is securely archived."
"Can't you just access it now?"
"I can, but I have no idea what Viktor will do if he finds out I'm accessing what is effectively his database. Also, I'd be needing access to my researchers, won't I?"
"I'll be willing to help if you need me to." Brandon spoke up.
"No, you've helped more than enough. Please, this is something I must do."
"I disagree. This affects the entire world. We need as much help as we can get. I will do everything I can until you get Crinale back in your hands."
"...okay, fine. Let's do this."
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"...if she keeps this up... then... ugh."
His fears became more than just a reality. Kyoko didn't just keep up her violent racing style, it got worse.
"What the hell?"
"Kehhahahaha... That's it... I have had ENOUGH!"