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

BASIC INFO

[vivariummods]

✖ This event will go towards AC. We require everyone to have a minimum of 10 comments from themselves in one mission. See below for more information on missions.

✖ This event will affect how the game will be run for the next month and a half. Each and every characters' actions will have an impact on which way the game will proceed, so we place strong emphasis that everyone should tag as much as they can.

✖ This event will last 5 OOC days and 2 IC days, ending on February 14 at 11:59PM EST.

✖ Characters will be given a set of missions, split into two categories: Survival Missions and Zero Missions.

✖ Survival Missions are created by the characters themselves in order to last throughout the entirety of the event. Characters do not have to discuss coming up with these events, they can jump straight in.

✖ Zero Missions are created by Zero. These are personal requests that Zero will offer and characters will be rewarded should they partake in them. At the beginning of the event, only one will be revealed. Should characters want more, they must thread with Zero.
✖ There is no limit on how many characters can partake in a mission, but the mission can only occur once (with a few exceptions), so please ensure that there are no splitting timelines on what group does an event. It should be one long thread, but do not worry about a strict tagging order to get the thread moving.

✖ There is also no limit on how many missions characters can take, but please keep in mind that these require a great amount of effort. ICly and OOCly, taking on more than two missions may be tiring. It may also be recommenced that taking on a mission with more than three characters may be difficult, so it is discouraged, but should you believe the thread will move at a normal pace, then that is completely fine.

✖ To sign-up for the non-repeatable missions, go to this thread and sign up underneath the event's thread.

✖ When starting a mission, please include the title of the event in your subject.

✖ Maps: Floor One, Floor Two, and Basement.

✖ If you have any questions? Ask and we will try to get back to you asap.

MISSIONS

[vivariummods]

【 CUT THE SUPPLY 】

Zero will freely give one piece of information - there’s a power hub for a good number of the robots active in the basement, the maze everyone enjoyed some time back. Why so generous? Well, the robots are annoying Zero too. If the hub is destroyed a good deal of the robots won’t be able continue charging themselves, making life easier for all.

Unfortunately it seems the blue monster from the red room found it’s way down there amongst other things, so it won’t be a very safe or sound mission. It might be worth it for peace of mind, at least.

【 GATHER FOOD 】

There’s a room behind the cafeteria where the food is kept, and if anyone’s getting hungry, it might be a good idea if some of that food is taken out and shared. The problem is that the door to the food storage is clearly finicky and doesn’t seem to want to do more than stay open with just a crack. The panel nearby looks promising, maybe opening it up and messing with it will make the door open? Maybe Zero would be willing to give some pointers, if you don’t mind making deals with the devil? It may even be able to be pried open with enough effort and strength, though probably only enough for one person to slip through and not for very long...

【 HEAT UP 】

The heat is definitely getting to be a problem; it only seems to be getting colder as the hours tick by. The only semi-warm room is the Incinerator, and a vent a few feet off the ground may be a good place to start looking. The vent’s rather rickety and small, so it’s likely only going to fit one person and no one too big.

As always talking to Zero may reveal more information, but sending someone to scout ahead and keeping in contact through the bracelets may be more prudent.

【 MEDICINE GATHERING 】

If someone decides to cleverly go to the Infirmary in hopes of raiding the place for supplies, they’ll be in for a little more than they bargained for. The door will lock behind them, as if it has a will of it’s own. In fact the entire room will feel that way - the screen will let out screeching sounds, the three dolls that were traps will spew fire, small knives and mysterious green liquid at random, the temperature will fluxuate, etc. Use your imagination and just have a blast.

This mission will be redoable by other groups, as long as no one warns them beforehand.

【 SHELTER AND SCAVENGING 】

It might be good to have a base of operation for people to come back to or scavenge for useful items while everything’s mostly open. This mission is pretty much a repeatable free for all as well, go wild. Robot attacks, couch forts, finding hidden treasures, etc.

【 TAKE IT BACK 】

The washroom has a rather strange infestation of, you guessed it, robots. Why the washroom? Zero might have some answers, but who really wants to listen? Zero’s an asshole. This one’s pretty simple, find a way to scare the things off so people can use the loo and get some clean water. It’s not a glamorous job but someone probably has to do it.

【 TURN IT BACK ON 】

There may be a way to turn the power on, because that’s kind of a problem,. Zero, of course, is one avenue, as desirable as ever, but any test subject clever enough might find a set of notes talking about the power center in the basement.

The basement is still as pleasant as ever, still an annoying maze but now pitch black and full broken, well, everything from all the excitement. There’s also the matter of being smart enough to be able to follow the rather complicated instructions in the manual.

【 ZERO MISSION - SECRET ELEVATOR 】

There is a single request Zero will make to the group, whether they want to listen or not. The first floor lobby will have a new opening in the wall, leading to a long hallway and an elevator at the far end. Zero’s request is that the subjects barricade this hallway for them, to keep the robots back so Zero can do work in peace. The elevator has what looks like a handprint reader or something similar, the elevator is firmly shut.

This mission can be done several times by various groups with various results. Robots will break down the barricade periodically, and Zero has several fun ideas for those who decide to be too nosy, including knocking them out for the robots to drag away to elevators or more dangerous areas. If you have any ideas in that regard let us know and we can give the okay!

MINGLE

[vivariummods]

[ Anything that is outside the missions, whether it's before or after, it goes in here. ]

LET'S BEGIN

[vivariummods]

[ All missions take place under here. Don't forget to include the mission title in the subject when starting a new thread! ]

ZERO

[vivariummods]

[ Any of the screens and the new walkie-talkie feature of the bracelets will now summon Zero, if you so wish. Anything you want to say or ask? Zero's listening. ]

scavenging

[puzzlinglad]

[Pretty much immediately after everything starts going down Hershel heads over to Clive's ten, INTENT on actually knocking on the flap. It's about as effective as you'd imagine, if he had done it, which he didn't because clearly Olivia said Clive's outside his tent and I'm really drunk today, shh.]

Clive? There you are, I just realized something wonderful. [He sounds... excited? Alright, why not.]

CUT THE SUPPLY

[detectiveofthewest]

After he heard about the power hub for the robots in the basement, Heiji pulled Snake aside.

"Hey, I want to try and get to the basement and take out that power supply. But them robots are attracted to light, so... will you come with me? I know it's going to be dangerous, but I ain't scared."

Re: scavenging

[detectiveofthewest]

"Yeah? And what's that?" Heiji asked, resting an arm on Hershel's shoulder, deal with it punk.

"That we can steal anything that ain't nailed down?"

[puzzlinglad]

Oh hello there, Hershel looked a little surprised at sudden Heiji but quickly went back to being slightly excited. He'd even let the arm be, double punk.

"In a way- do you both remember the generator room?" How could they not, another wonderful adventure. "There was an office chair in there, wasn't there? One of those ones with wheels, I think it worked well enough too. If we could get that Clive would be much more mobile." He glanced between them expectantly. "It's worth checking out at least, if everything is open."

[blind_badass]

*Speaking of Light jokes with poor taste, if that's what Heiji was going for...*

Of course, Heiji. If I let you go by yourself, you'd probably get into a fight in the dark with about ten of them.

[detectiveofthewest]

Well, what the hell. Heiji did kind of want to talk to this dude who'd held them captive for two months already. He'd use that walkie-talkie feature.

"Hey, Zero, you there? I wanna ask you somethin'."

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji laughed. "You mean the one Clive made ya sit in while you squeaked around? Yeah, I remember that. Hell, let's go for it. It's not like Calhoun's gonna give us a wheelchair outta the goodness of his heart. Especially not now."

C'MERE CLIVE, HEIJI WAS GOING TO CARRY YOU.

[detectiveofthewest]

"And win," said Heiji easily, draping an arm around Snake's shoulders. "Okay. He said we could get to there through the elevators in the first floor lobby, so meet me down there, all right? I need to get somethin' real quick."

He gave Snake a kiss on the cheek and was quickly gone, returning in a few minutes to their appointed meeting place.

[vivariummods]

[ After a moment of static he's treated to Zero's melodious, distorted voice. ]

Subject 3, how terribly surprising you would wish to speak with me first.

[detectiveofthewest]

"I missed the dulcet tones of your voice modulator," said Heiji.

"Early on, Calhoun mentioned somethin' about realistic conflict theory. Is this the friction phase?"

[vivariummods]

I see. [ It's impossible to tell if Zero was being dry or actually accepting that as an answer. ]

Really, Subject 3, if it was would I tell you and taint the experiment? And if I said no would you believe I wasn't simply trying to hide my true intentions? I don't understand the appeal of such pointless lines of questioning.

[detectiveofthewest]

"By that token, why should I trust anything you say? Including that you want us to find Calhoun. Feel free to insert threats or insults here; I'm sure that won't lead us in more conversational circles."

Evasive non-answer, noted.

"But fine. I wanted to know more about this virus that's affecting Calhoun and the other systems here. First off, because you got a lot of robots in here and I wanna know how careful we need to be around them. Second, because if you want us to find Calhoun, knowing more about the effects of the virus on him might make it easier for us to track him down."

[vivariummods]

And so my point is made-- I see no reason for questioning that will not bear fruit, so let us cut the circle off at that.

[ Zero pauses. ] Better. Calhoun is no longer active, he has been shut off for the moment. His body has been damaged, unfortunately, and split apart. I do not have the time to track the pieces through endless security footage, so I will leave finding them to your resourcefulness.

As for the robots I will not say because doing so would be useless to us both. The virus affects them all differently, you shall see for yourself how each has responded.

[detectiveofthewest]

Split apart, huh...? Why would anyone bother? Wouldn't it have been enough to simply deactivate him? Not that Heiji couldn't understand the temptation.

"Any info on his last known whereabouts, or were we the last to see him?"

[vivariummods]

The first floor warehouse, near the elevators. It will do you little good but use the information as you will.

[vengefulyears]

Clive had been quietly listening to the entire conversation with Zero from right outside the tent Heiji carried him to earlier and was also probably bundled up in Heiji's detective jacket or something so he wouldn't freeze to death. He seemed rather pensive at first, but Hershel and Heiji's sudden appearance soon put a smile on his face.

"I agree. I still won't be able to move between floors on my own, but it's better than nothing. Let's go!" And then he'll just casually outstretch his arms towards Heiji as a signal that the princess is ready to be picked up now.

[detectiveofthewest]

A princess among princesses, that was Clive. He looked dashing in that detective jacket. Heiji lifted Clive and left the tent, heading in the direction of the generator room.

"Alright, we'll be there in no time!"

[puzzlinglad]

Hershel just looked vaguely amused at this display, more that they were already in the groove with this than anything. He followed, keeping step with Heiji as they headed into the warehouse.

"Let me look ahead when we get there to make sure there isn't anything lurking around." And he glanced to Clive. "How's your leg been feeling?"

[blind_badass]

*Snake smiled at the fleeting kiss. He wasn't even going to question what Heiji was going for. Probably some kind of weapon. Sadly all of Snake's things were locked in the dorm. He made a note to keep his lethal modified rope flail in a more accessible location in the future. He heard Heiji's footsteps returning at the meeting place.*

So. Are you ready?

[detectiveofthewest]

"Yeah, let's go!" Heiji was holding his bokutou in one hand and something crinkly in the other. It smelled passingly unpleasant, like the tiniest bit of spoiled food escaping from a plastic bag. Which, you know, it was.

"Since those robots liked the rotting meat so much last time, I figured I'd bring some along just in case we need to sneak by 'em later." He started down the stairs.