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

[formicarium]

It is not exactly 'great' for either party, Subject 3. There will be changes in the future.

It would compromise a great deal, yes. I have put more into this experiment than you could possibly comprehend, and I will put in more still to make it succeed as time continues on.

[detectiveofthewest]

"Yeah? Gonna tighten up your code security?" And there was that number again. Sure, Calhoun didn't refer to them by their names, either, but Zero seemed to go that extra step in reducing them to subjects rather than people. His mode of speech, his use of passive tense...

And then another round of how they were all simpletons who couldn't possibly understand the grand scope of Zero's plans, got it. Heiji would have liked it if he were less into talking about how dumb everyone was and more into explaining this amazing, super-important plan, but if wishes were pigs, bacon would always be on sale.

"So it's possible that it could fail."

[formicarium]

The matter that caused this breach will be rectified. [ That wasn't really a yes or a no to code security, which might have been a weird answer in and of itself. Then again, maybe Zero enjoyed being purposely vague. ]

Yes, it is quite possible. I might even say the odds are against us, yet-- [ Zero stops for a very long moment. ] Nevermind, Subject 3. Simply know your fate is tied to this success, as is the fate of every being here.

[detectiveofthewest]

...What do you mean, 'us', kemosabe?

What a weird way to put it. Was that a threat or something? "In other words, we'd better hope you 'succeed', is that it?"