CALHOUN HOUR - CHOICE

[vivariummods]

It has been two and a half days since the end of the virus takeover. The power, lights, and heating has been turned back on. All the newer areas have been sealed, BP is once again required in certain rooms, and it appears that everything is returning back to normal. Asides from Calhoun. Whether characters have chosen to give pieces of Calhoun to Zero, to hold onto them, or to destroy them, it does not matter. There has been no indications as to when he would ever be back, so there has been a robotic mouse void within the warehouse. Zero has refused to leave any information as to the status of rebuilding Calhoun, but they have left this one message for everyone shortly after the power restoration: "While you may be left alone to your devices, do not trick yourselves into thinking that there is a way out of here, or that you can do as you please. I will always be watching." It has been two days since Zero has left these parting words before entirely disappearing. When attempting to call for them, everyone will only be responded with silence. It's clear that they're still watching over the facility though, as any kind of rule breaking or suspicious activities would automatically be rewarded with an injection of Soporil β. True to their word, Zero is somehow monitoring the behaviors without saying a single word. It is not until the morning of Day 72 does everyone hear again from them again, through the speakers throughout the warehouse. "Good morning, Subjects. Today, you will be partaking in another experiment of mine. It has come to my knowledge that my assistant has been throwing these so-called "Calhoun Hours" every three days to keep everyone stimulated between his rooms. Don't assume that I will do anything similar of the sort. This activity has far more care and thought put into it than this camping nonsense, so let us begin." "The rules are simple: every test subject will be paired up and placed against each other. The collective will then have to vote for one of the pair. The one with the fewest amount of votes will be subjective to a punishment of my choice. The one with the most amount of votes will continue their dull experimental lives until the next set of events." "Any petty attempts of rebellion will be met with serious repercussions, so I would suggest that you rethink any sort of plans." "Now, best of luck, Subjects. We will talk again soon." BASIC INFO ✖ MINGLE ✖ VOTES ✖ RESULTS

Comments

[puzzlinglad]

And licking what is it, lamp posts? That's something that happens enough we need to make sure we know the risks?

You don't think what someone has to say may effect how you want to vote? I admit, I doubt it'll change much in most cases, but at least we have the small freedom of making wishes known and trying to use logic to figure out what we can. [he shrugs.] In situations like these what else can we do?

[skyentificmethod]

Subway poles, the ones you hold onto in the--what do you call it, 'tube'?

I don't need to hear someone pretend to be happy to volunteering to be the martyr to feel better about my decisions, no. There isn't anything we can do, that's the point.

[a breath, then dull]

...If you're worried about your principles, then don't vote. If no one votes, or if you make sure votes are equally split, then your conscience can be clean. But your hands still won't be.

[puzzlinglad]

Yes, that's right- is that it? Sounds rather dirtier than a lamppost... little more hand traffic and all.

My principles aren't what I'm concerned about, really. And I'm not sure my conscious will be any cleaner that way. [he glances to the side for a few moments before glancing back.] Let's go do something, it's better than standing around being glum about all this. There will be plenty of time for that afterwards.

[skyentificmethod]

[she stares up at him mid munch, eyebrows raised]

That's it? No speech? Since when were you not coming with the hard sell about goodness and the better side of man, or whatever?

[puzzlinglad]

Honestly? [have a shrug] I trust you to make the best decision you can, and I trust everyone else to do the same. I'm not sure what else there is to say. Whatever everyone chooses I'm not going to hold it against them, this is Zero's fault, no one else's. We're still all in this together.

[and he offers a smile.] Is that a good enough speech? Probably could have been a bit heavier on hope and such, I admit.

[skyentificmethod]

...Huh.

It could've, but I suppose it'll do. Just add some extra hopeyness next time. Though I don't know about good decisions. I'll probably just flip a coin. Not much else to do with them now.

[puzzlinglad]

I could add something about trust and banding together as a team if you'd like. [his smile drops and he sighs] I'm going to try to keep injuries and mental state in mind, but otherwise I can't say there's much to be done. Maybe flipping a coin really is the best way to go about it.

[skyentificmethod]

If you're trying to use logic, there's an argument for or against any of us. So unless there are people you think just deserve to be punished, may as well leave it to chance.

[puzzlinglad]

Is that what you'll do for all of them? Pick at random?

[skyentificmethod]

It's as "fair" as any other solution. Don't get so disappointed if Zero ends up punishing the guy with the most votes, too.

[puzzlinglad]

I can't say that possibility hadn't crossed my mind too.

[He sighs, but what could you do] What do you think of him, now that we've actually had the chance to speak to him?

[skyentificmethod]

It's not really fit for mixed company.

You?

[puzzlinglad]

He's a right tosser, I'll say that. Probably not best to say anymore while the dodgy fellow's got things like punishment on the brain.

Doesn't give much of a straight answer either, but I suppose that's to be expected. Calhoun wasn't much better.

[skyentificmethod]

I hate guys who think they know it all and hold all the cards. It's infuriating. What's he even want from us, really?

[puzzlinglad]

Heiji tried asking from what I gather, didn't get much besides how grand and important this experiment is supposed to be. Too grand to let us in on it, it seems. Makes me wonder what happens if the whole thing fails.

[skyentificmethod]

When the authorities shut this place down, you mean? It'll probably be something stupid too, like tax evasion or something. This guy seems like the kind of ass to steal cable from down the street or hide a grow house and think no one will notice.

[puzzlinglad]

That would be a pretty fitting end to everything. With all the supplies and money Zero pours into this place you'd think there'd be a hundred paper trails and small mistakes like that.

[skyentificmethod]

There must be. It's hard enough to keep track of all that when you're on the up-and-up!