CALHOUN HOUR - CAMPING

[vivariummods]

It's another day, it's another start of Calhoun Hours. Bright and early in the morning, Calhoun marches into the middle of the first floor lobby and shrieks into his megaphone. "All right, up to the Garden with all of you! C'mon, hurry up, I'm not going to wait for you lazy bunch!" He impatiently taps on his paw on the ground, but then stops. "Hmm, actually, nah, take your time. I'll just meet you all there in a jiffy!" And with that, he rushes off to take the stairs to the Garden. Listen to him and slowly make your way, or rush up, it doesn't matter. After everyone assembles in the artificial room, Calhoun is standing by the waterfall, staring off into nothing. He just nods to himself a few times and doesn't even seem to notice the presence of the test subjects though. It's not until about ten seconds later that he turns and tilts his head. "Whoa, don't sneak up on me like that, test subjects! Sheesh, trying to give this mouse a heart attack?" He huffs but then slides back to his regular mood. "So! Today's event will be called camping! Yeah, I got no clever name for it, sue me, but whatever, go set up a tent or other prep-work. I couldn't bring in all the supplies for this so you'll just have to make due until later tonight." He runs away from the waterfall, but manages to trip on nothing a few steps in. He stays on the ground, as if trying to trick everyone that he's going to stay there for a while, but then pushes himself back up to make his way to the centre of the Garden. He then raises his arms out, as if he's presenting something. "Even though I didn't manage to grab everything, I hope you like what I did to the place! Sure looks like a real campground, huh?" Asides from a few tent kits scattered around, there... isn't actually much at all. A few of the screen grids (that normally display the sky) are either turned off to a boring black colour or in a constant static display, but asides from that, everything looks exactly the same. Calhoun doesn't seem to really care though as he keeps on talking. "Soooooooooooooooooooo, get to it, or something. Do whatever you test subjects do during events like these, chip chop chap!!" BASIC INFO ✖ MINGLE

Comments

[skyentificmethod]

Rather than all of us hunker down, I think those of us who can should search the room before it gets too cold. It'll be easier to figure out our options once we know what we have to work with.

[puzzlinglad]

I think that's a good idea, we should probably assume that we may need to stick in the tents for a while. Best get anything we may need to do or find outside of them done now.

[not_that_sasuke]

I can help investigate, then.

[He may not be at 100%, but it's enough.]

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji thought quickly, then tossed his flashlight to Sasuke. "You guys use this and look around, then. Clive can't walk right now, so I gotta make sure he's okay and knows what's goin' on. I'll be back after I take care of him, all right?"

And then off he went, using his lighter to return to the middle of his garden, where he would a) get Clive into a tent, b) tell him wtf was going on, and c) lend Clive some of his extra clothes since Clive probably couldn't move around to warm himself up very well.

[fairsfair]

[ Jake didn't exactly like the idea of just sticking in the tents, he'd rather try to get out, but he completely understands so he doesn't push it. ]

Then sounds like a plan. I'll take the north side of the Garden.

[ And when he means 'take', he means investigate, but be goes through his pockets for his own flashlight clip that he stole from the Red Room and turns it on. Let's get this thing done!! ]

[not_that_sasuke]

[Sasuke catches the flashlight, scanning the side near the doors.]

Then I'll check out the south along with anyone else who wants to investigate.

[Starting with... the area immediately around the door because why not. Anything around this tree, perhaps?]

[detectiveofthewest]

After he took care of Clive, Heiji would be joining Jake on the north side. Enjoy investigating with someone who'd run through everything with a fine-toothed comb, Jake 8')?

He'd probably start on the other end if you asked.

[formicarium]

[ The characters may search all they want, but it will prove to be useless. Everything is the same, asides from the new tents, so there's no progress there. After a short while of that, each and every single grid turns on. Each screen shows a single familiar figure donned in a gas mask and black raincoat. A rasping voice sounds in the room - still just as cold, distorted and metallic. ]

It’s been a while, test subjects. I see that you’re in quite the dilemma here.

[detectiveofthewest]

Well, look who showed up to the party.

"Yeah, you could say that. Your pet mouse pitched a fit and bounced. Do we have you to thank for that?"

[formicarium]

I've had no part in what happened to my assistant, I assure you. I don't make such obvious mistakes.

[ Zero doesn't move, as they speak. ]

[not_that_sasuke]

[Well. This is a thing.]

So trapping us in here was Calhoun's plan? Or was it the result of his malfunctioning?

[skyentificmethod]

More importantly, when are you planning on letting us out?

[formicarium]

[ If Zero was surprised or overwhelmed with all these questions, they don't show it. ]

I would not have programmed him so poorly to go against my orders. I am certain this is the direct result of the virus.

[ The virus? Hmm... ]

As for when you will be let out, I suggest that you do not ask such predictable questions. I have already started working on overriding the code to open the door, before I have even appeared.

[detectiveofthewest]

Well, as long as he was answering questions...

"What, you mean you ain't been keepin' an eye on him to make sure he stays in line? Alright, so have you figured out how long he's been under the influence of this virus? And what its source was? ...And what, exactly, is it makin' him do? 'Cause he seems to have a lot of power around here, so if he's liable to start messin' with our bracelets or gassing us, that's not exactly an ideal situation."

"One more thing -- why're you talkin' to us about it? There's gotta be somethin' you want from us, right? You been keepin' quiet this whole while, so I doubt you're here just to kill time."

[not_that_sasuke]

"I'm surprised you let a virus get past you. Is it affecting the entire facility now?" That seems like a pretty major oversight. And the fact that he's talking to them about it at all...

It's a moment of weakness. He has no idea how many of their questions will be answered, but they may as well ask what they can and see what they can get out of it.

[lameton]

[if this virus is affecting the entire facility then alfendi is probably going to go on a murder spree. this whole situation is the last thing anyone needs.]

Zero - is Calhoun going to be okay? You're not going to trash him, are you? Like you trashed all those test subjects?

[he's asking because if zero doesn't have the means to fix that stupid rat, he certainly won't have the means to fix a virus-infected life support system.]

[formicarium]

[ Zero watches the group as the questions come, staying quiet for a long moment after they've ceased before letting out a short, distorted sigh. ]

Predictable. Very well, let's begin then.

[ Zero's gaze turned to Heiji. ]

You need not worry about your bracelets under Calhoun's whims, Subject 3, as they are and always have been under my whims. [ And now to Alfendi. ] Calhoun, while I am on the topic, will be simple enough to handle. I won't bore you with details you will not comprehend, but yes, I do have a request on that front.

Find his body, return it to me. It should be a simple enough matter, shouldn't it?

[fairsfair]

[ Find Calhoun? Hmm, Jake isn't too sure if that's a good idea. He doesn't suddenly want to help Zero, not when they suddenly have some leverage over him. ]

And what if we don't pass him over?

[formicarium]

Then, Subject 2, I will simply need to rebuild him. Trifling, but time consuming.

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji wasn't really crazy about the idea of helping Zero, either. But...

"I'm hearin' what you're gonna get out of us fetching Calhoun for ya, but I ain't hearin' much about what's in it for us. So spill. I'm sure it ain't going to be that simple, so I assume you've got some kinda offer we can't refuse."

[puzzlinglad]

A little more information would be nice as well. [Hershel adds with a frown.] You haven't really explained to us what's going on, or what this virus is. It puts us at a disadvantage not to know what we're up against here, if we did decide to help.

[skyentificmethod]

And really, why should we help in the first place? It's not as though being trapped in a small, uncomfortable space is any different of a situation than the last two months. Heiji's right, all this sounds like your problem, not ours.

[formicarium]

You seem to think that I'm generous enough to offer a reward. I am not like my assistant, I do not engage in these "fun games". It is within your best interests to help me, if you consider your situation, but should you not, then realize that you are preparing yourself for the consequences.

[ Then to Hershel: ]

There is no need to explain as to what this virus is. I'd say that you're all rather useless in assisting me in this scenario. You should be much more concerned about yourself. This blackout has cut off all source of heat and power. What will you eat? How will you find your way around? Will you manage to hold off against the other "test subjects"?

Whether you survive or not, that does not concern me, but do not assume that you are in a position of power here. If you do not wish to help me, then so be it, but don't be foolish enough to believe you know more about this warehouse than me and that you can control what happens here.

[not_that_sasuke]

[...Wait a sec.]

Other 'test subjects?' What do you mean by that? Are there others we'll have to worry about if we agree to look for Calhoun?

[Not that he's agreeing to anything, mind. But it seems like an important piece of information.]

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji didn't really buy it. If Zero truly gave no shits about their situation, he wouldn't be sitting here threatening them. Hell, he wouldn't even deign to talk to them. But he was more interested in Sasuke's question at the moment than in antagonizing his captors (for once), so he waited for the response.