DOUBLE BLIND

[vivariummods]

Shortly after the conversation with Zero ends, Zero opens the doors of the Garden and allows everyone to leave. However, the rest of the warehouse isn't better than the Garden: The lights are still off, leaving everyone surrounded in darkness. The temperature just keeps on dropping, reaching near freezing point. The air feels more and more polluted, making it difficult to breathe without coughing, and nothing seems to be working as they should be. The electronic doors refuse to open without any power source, cutting off access to the cafeteria and dorms. At the very least, Zero has managed to open all the doors leading to puzzle rooms and has informed the group that new areas are now accessible to them, but they're on their own should they want to enter any other rooms. Before the screens in the Garden turn off, Zero finally informs them that a new feature has been unlocked on their bracelets: any test subject wearing a bracelet may communicate with one another with the bracelet acting as a communication device. Holding onto the left button will enable the line to open just like a walkie-talkie. As long as test subjects are in the warehouse, they will have no troubles speaking with one another. What if they wish to talk to Zero? Zero's time is not be riffled, but they were generous enough to appear whenever anyone found a screen and pressed the on button a total of three quick successions. And with that, Zero disappears from the grids and finally leaves everyone in complete darkness, leaving only one last piece: "Best of luck, Test Subjects." BASIC INFO ✖ MISSIONS ✖ MINGLE

Comments

[not_that_sasuke]

[Math problems to operate the incinerator. Of course. Did Calhoun have to input the answer every time to use it afterwards, then?

He wasn't expecting it to be warm, though. On one hand, it's nice to not be freezing anymore, but on the other, that's... kind of weird.]

What was it doing on? Did Calhoun use it before setting up for camping?

[At least it does seem to indicate they're on the right track with this idea. Onwards?]

[puzzlinglad]

Perhaps? Honestly I didn't think he really used this at all, that it was more a set piece. [Still, it was functional, so maybe...?

He goes inside, and wow it is almost pleasant in the room though still nippy by most standards. He heads to the big machines that must be the incinerator by the wall, covering his nose because ugh. Ugh.]

... That's strange, they're cold. [He turns back with a frown.] Well something close by must be emitting heat, it's the best lead we've got at least.

[not_that_sasuke]

[It's not freezing levels, this is fine by Sasuke. The smell is... not that great... but hey, he can deal.]

It isn't the machines?

[But then, what could it be...?

He'll slowly make his way around the room, trying to figure out where the warmth seems to be emanating from.]

[puzzlinglad]

[Hershel does the same, walking around slowly, mostly keeping his eyes to the floor and all the wonderful garbage littering it before he finds a slightly warmer spot and pauses.

The garbage certainly wasn't making the heat, and after a few moments he realizes there's a vent on the wall.] Sasuke, come look at this.

[not_that_sasuke]

Did you find something?

[Coming over to investigate! Is that a vent...?]

[puzzlinglad]

[It is! And high up enough that someone would definitely need a boost to get to it.]

I think the heat is coming from up there, that vent. [The grid's probably also half off already, robots. Probably. What assholes. He raises his hand to feel the air near it.] It's faint but it's something. I suppose if we could figure out where that leads it'd be a lead.

[not_that_sasuke]

[He stands back enough to get a good look at the size. Hmm...]

It looks like a pretty big vent. [Well, as far as vents go honestly.] I could probably get inside and check it out.

[puzzlinglad]

I don't know if that's a good idea, what about your leg? Who knows what's up there. [Getting his fret on a little as he turned to Sasuke.]

[not_that_sasuke]

My leg's fine. [Or close enough, anyway.] I'll just take a quick look and see if it leads anywhere, and if not, I'll come back.

[Which is easier said than done, but he makes himself sound confident enough at least. Hopefully it will help convince Hershel he knows what he's doing.]

[puzzlinglad]

[Hershel doesn't look convinced, but thankfully being a doormat overrides being a motherhen for the moment so he nods reluctantly.] Well alright, let me give you a boost then- but promise if it gets dangerous you'll turn back. I'll keep in touch with the bracelets.

[And he kneels a little, hooking his hands to offer them as a step so he can help Sasuke up there. You win for now...]

[not_that_sasuke]

[Awesome, that went over better than expected.]

I promise.

[And up he goes and into the vent! His leg could be better, but it could also be worse; he can deal. Hopefully he won't actually have to crawl backwards, since that would be kind of difficult.

For now though, what's up ahead...?]

[puzzlinglad]

[Meanwhile Hershel is instantly regretting this decision, letting a still injured guy in a vent, for shame. Did his mother teach him anything. He fiddles with his bracelet, still unsure how this walkie-talkie nonsense worked, probably accidentally reaching a few other people first before finding Sasuke's frequency.]

Sasuke? Can you hear me? [He's half expecting to have reached Zero or one of the joke phone lines in VLR.

The vent's probably dark and dusty and unpleasant though, and creaks terribly. At least it's warm? Your choice whether he makes it to the boiler room first and falls on his way back or falls sooner, enjoy.]

[not_that_sasuke]

I'm here. Nothing yet.

[But that's the only answer he'll get because this vent is creaking a lot and he's not so sure that's a good sign. It's better to keep moving.

However, his luck holds out apparently, because after a tense while of crawling through the crappy vent, Hershel will get another reply.]

...I found it. There's a boiler back here.

[puzzlinglad]

[Hershel couldn't help but start pacing, concerned he'd be swarmed by robots or something worse. Fret fret fret.

When Sasuke spoke again Hershel answers pretty quickly, sounding relieved.]

That's certainly a start. Is it on? Maybe there's some way we can get it working again.

[The very fancy screen on the side of that room makes it seem like levels are off and need adjusting so everything's in harmony again. It's sort of like a puzzle, how excited are you, Sasuke?]

[not_that_sasuke]

Let me see if I can do something about it.

[Which he will indeed attempt. At this point he really needs to stop being surprised that Zero apparently thought to make even the functional aspects of the warehouse operate via puzzle. At least they don't have to do magic squares to get food...

Hmm. Okay, if the levels need to be balanced, then...

...Uh...]

It's... a little like a puzzle, actually. Do you think you can figure it out?

[Here Hershel have a description of what the hell's going on with that screen.]

[puzzlinglad]

[Magic squares to get food was a pretty good idea, don't say that outloud to Zero or it may be your life.

Hershel sounds a bit unsure, mostly because the grey room shot his puzzle confidence] I- sure, I can try. [By god he'd try and hopefully no one would get zapped or puzzle trapped? He considers for a few moments.]

Try this- [He gives some instructions, change this level, swap this, etc. It won't fix the problem but it will start to make things more level, and the room itself might get a bit warmer?

Also feel free to find Calhoun's head lying around at any point of this thread, just a special treat for Sasuke there.]

[not_that_sasuke]

[And then the vent started spewing poisonous gas and Sasuke died a horrible death and Hershel never learned to properly cope with the trauma.

Nah, that... sort of helped?]

It's a little warmer now. I don't think it's fixed, though.

[But it's also not like they can do much else... he's about to report that he'll return when he notices something on the ground.]

...Hang on. I think... is this Calhoun's head?

[How... did it even get here...?]

[puzzlinglad]

[He'd become a ninja and really, does anyone want that.

Hershel frowns.] Hm, try- [But then Sasuke is noticing something, and what?]

His... head? Blimey, we found his paw back in the cafeteria. [Don't ask what happened to it.] There aren't any robots about, are there? They seem keen on those.

[not_that_sasuke]

[Hershel please do not become an emotionally repressed ninja.]

No, no robots. [It's... pretty weird to find just the head laying around, though.] I'll bring it back with me for now-- we'll need to figure out what to do with it.

[And that's the last Hershel will hear from his end as he grabs the head and starts making his way through the vent again.

Pity he never makes it, what with that very ominous crashing sound some moments later.]