( APPLICATION | ENTRANCEWAY )

[denaien]

Name: Kerry
DW username: justsay_goodbye
E-Mail: fontcroire @ gmail.com
IM: madethroughtime
Plurk: skitties

Other Characters: Lydia Martin ( intelligently )

Character Name: Dana Scully
Series: The X-Files
Timeline: 401 Herrenvolk
Canon Resource Link: scully @ wikia
Character History:

❝ Nothing happens in contradiction to nature, only in contradiction to what we know of it. ❞
- Dana Scully

After initially going to medical school Dana was recruited into the FBI looking for a way to distinguish herself. After her first two years where Dana proved herself to be a good agent, and was teaching at the Academy, Dana was approached regarding the "X-Files", a division of the FBI that investigates unusual phenomenon. Whilst her new partner, Fox Mulder, is an incredible believer in paranormal events – known for his outlandish and ‘crazy’ theories, Dana adds a more sceptical view point to his extreme beliefs, believing only in what science can explain. Though Scully finds that some of their cases test what is conventionally reported (and known) by science Scully finds explanations - basing her reports and theories - in scientific fact.

In her early days of investigating the X-Files Dana was asked by her superiors to write field reports in order to debunk the unit after her superiors feared the truth that Mulder was getting close to – though it was stated as them believing Mulder had developed a consuming devotion to the X-Files. Though Dana was asked to debunk their investigations she instead reported exactly on what she saw and had learned, or not learned – stating scientific fact and evidence whilst refusing to comment on the unexplained. Dana was not afraid to state that she didn't know or understand something, preferring to do so rather than make a conclusion that wasn't based in evidence (whether scientific or supernatural).

Though Dana may have disagreed with Mulder on many of his theories, particularly the fact that aliens were ‘out there’, she grew to have an immense respect for him, and trusted his decisions and actions as an FBI agent. Knowing that Mulder was a great agent was the reason why Dana had initially looked forward to working with him, and why – despite her frustrations at his insistence of extraterrestrial life – she continues to do so, ignoring others views of their work (that she’s “Mrs Spooky”) and defending both Mulder and their cases. When Scully is called to a meeting with Assistant Director Skinner over the methods that Mulder and Scully use to investigate the X-Files cases she is quick to defend their methods, stating that even though they may use some unorthodox investigation procedures they have a case closure rate that is above the bureau's current standard. Later Scully shows that her defence of the X-Files doesn't just extend to their work but also to Mulder. After realising that they'd be unable to use orthodox procedure in order to catch a suspect Scully tries to relieve Mulder in order to take over his stakeout. When he tries to protect her, wanting to protect her record from any trouble he'd get her in for those actions, Scully states that she wouldn't put herself on the line for anyone but him. After their suspect tries to frame Mulder for assault Scully lies to protect him - knowing that there isn't any evidence to exonerate Mulder despite her knowledge that he didn't commit the crime.

Although Dana remains sceptical about Mulder’s beliefs, refuting that something is possible if there is no scientific basis for it; Dana also finds that there are things that she cannot deny about their work. In their first case upon discovering that a comatose teenager was responsible for a girl’s death – that he had gotten up and gone into the woods – Scully couldn’t believe that what she had discovered (scientifically) was the truth, given that it should have been impossible. When ready to state that this was what had definitely happened Mulder made her consider what she was saying. Although he believed it unequivocally he wanted her to be certain of what she was saying – given that she had to report it. Although Dana did believe in what she’d discovered she wanted to make certain that she could back it up with scientific fact – that no one else would be able to doubt their findings.

When Mulder believed that a young woman was being protected by a poltergeist – the ghost of her boss who couldn’t move on – Dana elicited the young woman’s help by telling her that she believed her, that they could stop all of what was happening and help her boss to move on. When called on this by Mulder, knowing that she didn’t believe in ghosts, Dana agreed – stating that she believed that the woman believed, and that they needed to find some tangible evidence in their actual case. Ultimately they did find the evidence that they needed to close the case, although Scully missed out on seeing the ghost in action – though she may still have tried to find a scientific explanation for the event.

It wasn’t long before Dana’s work on the X-Files led her to trouble. One of their early cases saw Dana being attacked in her home by their suspect – someone who hibernated every thirty years by eating the livers of his victims, who planned to kill Dana to eat her liver. Thankfully Dana was rescued in time, and their suspect was captured and successfully imprisoned. Although Dana couldn't initially believe that this man was the same man that had committed the crimes 30 years before, and earlier, the fingerprint evidence that Mulder showed to Dana was irrefutable - each fingerprint is unique to a person. Though Dana wasn't certain how he could live for so long she believed that he was their killer - particularly after he attacked her. On another case taking Mulder and Scully to the Arctic they found themselves at threat of infection by the same organism that they were trying to defend the team against, after the initial research team had succumbed to the organism. Once infected the organism amplified the host’s feelings of anger and paranoia, causing the first team to kill each other before killing themselves. Though Mulder and Scully came close to the same fate they managed to retain control of the situation, discovering that by placing the two organisms together in the same hosts the organisms kill each other – saving the last of the team.

When investigating a man that claimed that he was psychic, something that Mulder didn't believe after testing him, Scully came to believe in his abilities. After her father died Dana was left feeling very lost and wishing that she could speak to him again. Although Mulder didn't believe that Luther Lee Boggs was a psychic Scully was - surprisingly - a little taken in by his words after he started singing a song that had a special meaning to him. Although she wouldn't completely say that she believed that he was psychic Scully was willing to at least follow his messages after they first became noticed to her and led her to a lead in their case. Although Mulder was baffled - and saddened that she'd done it (without backup) - it didn't dissuade Scully who continued talking to Boggs throughout the case until his death penalty was served. This was a reversal of their usual roles with Scully listening to what Boggs had to say, which ended up being able to save the lives of two girls due to the information that he gave them. Although whilst investigating the case Scully had believed in what Boggs had to say – and his ‘gifts’, after he was executed Scully tried to rationalise what had happened with science – stating that she was afraid to believe in such extreme possibilities.

Dana was later given her first proof of alien existence after a flask was discovered containing a bacteria sample that can only be described as extraterrestrial. At first Scully didn't know what to think, but after having a little time with the information she apologised to Mulder for not trusting his instincts as he did, going on to tell Mulder that she didn't know what to believe any more - that her sacred belief in science was a little shaken. After Mulder was kidnapped Scully was given access to a military facility where she finds an alien fetus suspended in liquid nitrogen. A deal was proposed – the fetus for Mulder. Though the trade is completed a man whom had been providing information for Mulder is killed, who tells Scully to trust no one. A few weeks later Mulder calls Scully with news that the X-Files division has been shut down, with both of them being reassigned. Upon hearing the news Scully was outraged, quick to tell Mulder that he had to file a protest - that the X-Files couldn't be shut down. Sadly there was nothing that they could do.

After the X-Files was closed Scully returned to the FBI Academy where she took up her previous position as a forensics instructor. Though Mulder was no longer Scully’s partner that didn’t stop her from providing assistance to him on his cases, including conducting autopsies and joining him in the field.

When Mulder examines a case involving a former FBI agent who escapes from a mental hospital his investigation leads him to a hostage situation when the man claims to have been abducted by aliens. As Mulder negotiates the hostage situation Scully investigates Duane Barry’s history, learning that his frontal cortex had been damaged when he’d been shot years previously. After the situation is resolved (with Barry’s being shot) his body is examined and “alien” implants are discovered – ones that contain microscopic barcodes. After Scully examines the implants she calls Mulder to give him her report, though it is later discovered that Barry has escaped from the hospital and kidnaps Scully – all of which ends up on Mulder’s voicemail.

Whilst Dana is missing Walter Skinner, Assistant Director of the FBI, reopens the X-Files division, with Mulder spending every resource available to find Scully after believing that she’s been abducted by aliens. Several weeks after the reopening of the X-Files, and Scully’s abduction, she was mysteriously returned – found comatose in a hospital. Her condition is a mystery, with no one able to explain what exactly is wrong with her. Just as miraculously, after being close to death, Dana wakes from her coma, where she tells Mulder that she heard his voice, though she is unable to remember anything after being abducted.

Returning back to work the X-Files remains business as usual, at least until Mulder’s sister reappears after being abducted when she was 8 years old. Samantha claims that she was returned at age 9 with no memory of her abduction, though through recent hypnosis she has regained her memories. When Mulder and Scully encounter a Bounty Hunter Samantha tells Mulder that the Bounty Hunter – and the clones that they’d discovered – were actually aliens. After encountering more clones Scully heads to a hotel room where Mulder follows – and later kidnaps her, showing himself to be another clone. The real Mulder discovers that the Bounty Hunter plans to set up a trade – Scully for Samantha, and the trade occurs, though Samantha is seen to be lost. When Samantha’s body is found it later dissolves into green liquid – showing that she was also a clone used to manipulate Mulder. When Mulder finds the clinic where the clones originated from he learns that they know of the real Samantha’s location, though he is unable to find out where she is. After trailing the Bounty Hunter Mulder almost loses his life after being infected by a retrovirus, though Scully’s examination of the virus discovers the method to saving his life.

A few months later after a desiccated alien-like corpse is discovered Kenneth Soona contacts Mulder to give him evidence of extraterrestrial life in the form of government secret files. After Skinner questions Mulder about the tape Mulder attacks him, causing Scully to be brought before an FBI panel to be questioned about his actions. The situation becomes worse after Mulder’s father is killed when he tries to tell him about the tape. When Mulder contacts Scully she tells him to flee, and protects Mulder. Alex Krycek, an FBI agent that will later be revealed to be working for the Syndicate – a secretive organisation representing global interests, arrives at Scully’s prepared to kill Mulder, though Scully stops him. Scully takes Mulder to New Mexico – the location of the alien-like corpse – and tells Mulder that his recent behaviour was due to his water being contaminated. Together with a Navajo elder they begin translating the tape, which contains information on Scully’s abduction.

After investigating the tape Mulder and Scully are pursued by the Syndicate whom are looking for the original tape. After Scully returns to Washington she is placed on mandatory leave from the FBI, forced to turn in her gun and badge. Scully goes to see her sister, seeking guidance and support, and Melissa urges her to visit a hypnotherapist to get the answers she needs regarding her abduction. After Dana returns to the FBI building the metal detector goes off, leading Dana to discover that she has a metal implant in the back of her neck – something that she will discover is identical to other abductees. When Dana attends the funeral of Bill Mulder – Fox’s father – she is approached by a member of Syndicate who warns her that she is about to be killed. After arranging to meet her sister Scully goes to her sister’s house, though Melissa goes to Dana’s place (which was the original plan) where she is shot by Luis Cardinal, believing Melissa to instead be Dana. After Scully returns home and finds her sister she later threatens Skinner, who she believes shot Melissa.

With the confrontation occurring at Mulder’s place he manages to diffuse the situation. Knowing about the remaining copy of the tape he demands that Skinner hands it over, though Skinner believes that it is their only leverage against Syndicate. After convincing Scully not to visit her sister in the hospital, as she may be targeted there, they continue investigating their case at an old mining facility. After Mulder finds a file on his sister, with shocking information in it, they hear something that sends them outside – something possibly alien – but are forced to flee when armed soldiers arrive. They later meet up with Skinner who proposes leveraging the tape for their reinstatement at the FBI and their safety, which they eventually agree to. After Scully visits her sister, who later dies, she tells Mulder that she has heard the truth – and that she’s now looking for answers. When Melissa's case is later closed unsolved with no leads, Dana is outraged by that fact - stating that they can piece together clear cut evidence on men who weren't even at crime scenes who committed the crime, but in the case of her sister they can't put enough evidence together to keep people interested.

Months later when Mulder purchases an autopsy of alien corpse he believes that it’s real, though Scully is less certain of the fact. Nevertheless the two are sent to investigate who is selling the video and they capture a man they discover to be a high ranking diplomat. Although they are ordered to release him they first find a list of “Mutual UFO Network” (MUFON) members and satellite images of a ship. Scully goes on to investigate the MUFON group and discovers that the women in this group recognise her from their own abduction experiences. Like Scully discovered in herself each of the women possess an implant in their neck, and are all dying of cancer. After talking more to the women Scully tells Mulder about MUFON and begins running tests on her own implant to find out more about its origins. When examining the autopsy video again Scully recognises one of the men in it from her own abduction.

These discoveries, and the potential alien body, lead Mulder to tracking down the mysterious train carriage that contains the alien body. Although Scully begs Mulder not to get on it, after being warned by Mulder’s informant, Mulder gets on regardless. After losing contact with Mulder, and being prompted by Mulder’s informant, Scully returns to analysing her implant with the hope that it will answer some of the questions that she has. Scully discovers that the implant contains highly advanced technology that can replicate the brain’s memory functions and enable someone to know a person’s thoughts, and that her implant isn’t the only one of its kind. Scully travels to the location here the implant was created where she meets a group of patients whom were experimented on years ago. When visiting this compound Scully is captured and brought before the First Elder. After being captured Scully calls Mulder, telling him that she – along with the other patients – were operated on in a secret railway, and that the alien abduction theory is just a rouse. Learning that there is a bomb – and an infected body – on the railcar Scully urges Mulder to find them both and diffuse the situation, which he manages to do by disconnecting the railcar from the others; however he is unable to get a look at the body which he believes to be an alien-human hybrid. After the train explodes Mulder finds that all information on the railcar has been destroyed.

When a ship is found to have laid anchor at the same place in which a UFO was believed to have been salvaged Mulder and Scully are quick to investigate, particularly when the crew appear to be suffering from unknown radiation burns. With a rescued fighter plane aboard the ship as cargo Scully investigates its origins and what she can find out about it, learning more than she had expected to. A friend of her father’s admits to a similar incident in which another fighter plane was recovered leading the crew of that ship to suffer the same radiation burns. The investigation leads Mulder and Scully to a mysterious black oil that is capable of infecting people – causing them to have no recollection of any events whilst infected, and controlling their actions.

When Walter Skinner is shot it is discovered that his shooter is the same man that shot Scully’s sister, Melissa. When Skinner recognises his shooter Scully tracks the man down and arrests him, though not before he divulges some information on Alex Krycek’s location (and the recovered UFO). Scully later discovers that Luis Cardinal – the man that killed her sister – was found dead in his cell, and Krycek, who had been infected by the black oil, ends up trapped with the UFO – with only Syndicate knowing that he is still there.

After a man shoots three people inside a diner before being gunned down himself and his victims are miraculously resurrected, though by the time Mulder and Scully investigate the miracle man is long gone. When Mulder’s mother suffers a stroke Mulder initially believes that it is connected to this miracle man, until he realises that his mother’s words were a clue – one that leads him to find an alien stiletto weapon – the same kind of weapon used by the alien bounty hunters. Scully, back at the FBI headquarters, meets a man that claims to be Jeremiah Smith – the miracle man, who turns himself in but adds that he has no memory of healing anyone. Realising that they’re speaking to an imposter Mulder and Scully look for the real Smith, though the bounty hunter (still posing as Smith) attempts to kill him, but finds his cell empty. Scully later meets with the real Smith who promises to give Mulder and Scully more information, but before he can the bounty hunter returns.

After Mulder attacks the bounty hunter with the stiletto gun he and Smith flee, leaving Scully with the bounty hunter’s body. Although she believes it to be dead he awakens, attacking Scully in order to find Smith’s location, though he releases her once he realises she doesn’t know. Mulder, along with Smith, go to Canada where Smith claims Mulder will find his sister, Samantha. After contacting Scully the bounty hunter learns of their location. Returning to Washington Scully meets with another agent to try and find out what Smith (and Smith’s clones) were compiling data on, later discovering that it is a smallpox eradication program, and Scully later reports that the rest of the data that Smith was working on was a catalogue of human beings. Mulder's informant is later killed, though not before leaving Mulder a clue that takes him to his next contact - the secretary-general of the United Nations, who also works for Syndicate.

Throughout each case and investigation Dana conducts her work meticulously and to high standards despite what she may believe about the case. Although Dana doesn't believe in things that science cannot explain - such as aliens, and other paranormal phenomenon, it doesn't affect how she approaches her work. In each case there is still a crime that has been committed and even a victim, and solving that case - getting to the truth of it, no matter how mysterious it may at first appear, is what is important to Dana. When questioned by Mulder about why she refuses to believe in extreme possibilities Dana states that it's because looking for extreme possibilities can make you blind to the probable explanation right in front of you. Whilst she may disagree with Mulder about his paranormal beliefs she does go along with him, even if she doesn't believe it herself. Where Mulder may report on the inexplicable Scully reports based on scientific fact and what she can understand - and she isn't afraid to admit when there is something that she can't explain, or doesn't know about. Though she trusts science Scully also trusts in what she has seen. Whilst Scully may not wish to believe in aliens and the paranormal due to the challenges to her beliefs she can admit - with a scientific basis - that there are things (and people) in the world that challenge what is conventionally understood by science - and when there is something that science cannot explain.

Abilities/Special Powers:

MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE. attending medical school before attending FBI training Dana is a qualified and competent medical doctor, though she chose not to practice medicine. During her work in the FBI Dana has conducted multiple autopsies and medical comparison tests (blood samples, dna sequencing, etc)
COMBAT SKILLS. from her training with the FBI Dana is trained to defend herself in hostile situations and is skilled with a handgun.
ALIEN. though not yet known to Dana her genetic makeup was altered during her abduction, causing her to have alien DNA. This alien DNA will later provide a protection against a virus that the Syndicate will unleash on the world, as well as being able to create a cure for the same virus.
IMMORTALITY. though not fully stated/explored it is likely that Dana is immortal. After meeting a man that can see how people die he simply tells Dana that she doesn’t die. Later after being gravely wounded a man that had once avoided death (and was seemingly immortal) tells Scully to turn away from death’s gaze, which she does. As Scully miraculously recovers he dies, causing Mulder to posit that he took her place, and she is now immortal. With Dana’s alien DNA providing an immunity to the global viral holocaust she is possibly also resistant to the effects of age, disease, and harmful pathogens – though whether she can be killed by unnatural causes is unknown.

Third-Person Sample:

Zombies. The actual undead. She couldn’t believe it – something like this physically wasn’t possible. Reanimation was medically impossible. There were a lot of unusual things that Scully had seen whilst working with Mulder but there’d been a scientific basis in all of them – something explainable. Science didn’t explain this.

But somehow there were people walking around – some that Scully had seen die, others that had been reported. Injuries were one thing – seeing some of them walk simply looked like an injury, but these people were sick. Sick or deranged. Their actions were hostile, and they were unreasonable. The people didn’t speak – didn’t even seem to listen but yet they came forward, attacking in the most cannibalistic of ways.

When another had died Scully had taken control of the body, taking it back to an area of the clinic that she’d quarantined in order to examine it. Scully hoped that by conducting tests, even an autopsy, that she’d be able to find some way to cure whatever was infecting the population – to stop others from becoming infected, or dying.

Dana had been taking notes as she’d worked – documenting her procedures and findings on audio recording. She hadn’t yet begun the autopsy, still analysing the biological samples that she’d taken when it happened.

There was a crash from the other room, a clattering of metal on the floor as if someone had knocked over one of the medical trays. Lifting her head from the microscope Scully called out first, hoping whoever it was – one of the other doctors, perhaps – was the one responsible. When no response came Scully stepped away from the lab to the direction of the sound, wondering instead whether the person needed assistance.

What she ended up seeing was far from her expectations. The person there had been the body that Scully was testing – that she’d been prepared to autopsy. Unlike some of the others that had died this person was one that Scully had declared dead herself. Dead. And yet somehow now they were walking around again – a low, rumbling noise coming from them.

“Are you alright?” Perhaps their pulse had just been so low that it had been difficult to detect it, although the hole in their chest – and the amount of blood that now occupied the sixth floor stairwell would have said otherwise. There was no way that this person could be alive – the hole in their chest still existed, though it had now stopped bleeding, and if anything they condition looked worse. Their skin was grey and they smelled of- rotting. Putrefaction.

Scully’s question received no answer, just some slow, rambling steps towards them – accompanied by the groaning and that smell.

“I can help you. My name is Dana Scully.” She hadn’t known who this person was before she’d seen them killed – before she’d pronounced them dead and had had them taken back to the clinic – but she had an obligation to them; to cure this disease – to help this person.

“I’m a doctor. It’ll be alright.” There was nothing yet again, though now the person was incredibly close, and the expression on their face (minus the vacant look in their eyes) looked more frightening up close. It was the same harmful and hostile look that she’d seen on some of the others – both in person and on the network, and Dana knew by now that it was the disease – virus, something that was causing it.

Before Scully could speak again the person was on her. Their slow ambling had changed to a terrifyingly quick movement – almost a leap – and they’d grabbed her, pushing her back against the counter behind her. If Scully hadn’t moved their mouth would have quickly bitten down on her shoulder, but thankfully she’d been able to react quick enough to keep their face at arms-length. For now, at least.

“You don’t have to do this.” There was a part of Scully that knew that her attempts – her pleas – were hopeless. She knew that these unfortunate victims didn’t or couldn’t hear what was said to them – that they were out of their minds. All of the others had been unresponsive to attempts at communication and this was proving to be exactly the same. As Scully spoke, and waited for the lack of answer, she struggled – trying to keep that mouth from her body, and trying to push this person away from her.

After a few more seconds of struggling – seconds that felt extended in the moment – Scully managed to push them free from her, retreating back into the lab. Thankfully there was a door, though with no lock on it she had to push a chair behind it to keep it closed – a chair that wouldn’t stay there for long unless she found a better defence – which was difficult when you had little around you.

Instead Scully reached for her device. There were others in Wonderland, and especially other doctors. She had to warn them – to make sure none of them came into the clinic until the situation was contained. No one else could die from this.

First-Person Sample:

Okay, I've looked over the records that have been kept and frankly? I'm astounded. Werewolves, zombies? The fact that so many of you have claimed to see these things - that you continue to do so, without there being any proof of it even occurring? What you've described is simply not possible in any realm of science.

( And science is something that cannot be refuted - there is basis for it in everything. Though Scully can admit that she's seen things that would stretch what is understood by science there's still been a scientific basis for it - and evidence )

The fact that so many of you rely on 'magic' as an explanation is baffling. There's even less possibility of that occurring than a werewolf takeover. I know that when there are no explanations it can be easy to jump to something so strange that you think it can help you through it, but how is having an impossibility better than trying to find the real answer? Or even having no answer.

( It wasn't - not to her. It didn't make sense. Believing in something that wasn't possible? That couldn't ever be possible? Scully was someone that needed answers - tangible, believable answers )

I've seen a lot of things that have defied believability but the evidence has been there. Scientific proof. The answer will be here, you just need to believe that you can find it.