CALHOUN HOUR - BINGO II

[vivariummods]

Early in the morning of Day 84, an announcement booms from the warehouse speakers: "All test subjects report to the first floor lobby immediately for your next experiment." Zero's unmistakable garbled voice goes silent afterwards. Once everyone gathers downstairs, they'll be treated to an unexpected sight: Zero standing in front of them in the flesh. Standing tall (at 5'4"...), they're donned in the same piece of clothing everyone remembers them in: a black raincoat (large and long enough that it covers their entire body, leaving no distinguishable features), a full facial gas mask, and matching black gloves. It seems as if Zero really dislikes showing skin... "Today, you will be participating in a game of, what you may call, 'Bingo'. I believe most of you have participated in this before. The rules and explanations are on the back of the cards." An arm is raised to motion towards the paper cards scattered on the nearby table, then it falls again. "Due to some... unfortunate events, I will monitor you in person. However, do not underestimate what will happen to you should you decide to cheat, escape, attack, or do anything that will break my rules. Your bracelets are still very functional and my cameras will continue to record every move you take, so I suggest that you refrain from doing anything foolish." "Now begin." BASIC INFO ✖ LET'S PLAY BINGO ✖ TURN-IN ✖ POST-EVENT

Comments

[not_that_sasuke]

Working on your prank too?

[Guess who's actually on your left, dude.]

[puzzlinglad]

[Ninjas. He jumps a bit again, turning with his hand over his heart like a frail old lady or something.] Sasuke! Oh, I didn't-

[... wait this was a prank, huh. He smiles, amused.] You nearly had me leap out of my skin. Very effective. [And he glances at the paper.] Yes, for Heiji, maybe you could help me, actually, I want to put them in his things but I need to make sure he doesn't see me do it. If you could distract him for a moment later I'd very much appreciate it.

[not_that_sasuke]

[Yup. Checking off the box.]

Sure, I think I can do that. Also...

Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you that badly. [Just a small surprise was all he'd intended. But leave it to Hershel to be on the verge of a heart attack instead.

Maybe he should have picked some other unfortunate victim...]

[puzzlinglad]

[He shakes his head.] Don't worry, Zero looming over there is just making me jumpy.

[Speaking of that asshole...] I wonder what his game is. Whatever's going on it gives me a very bad feeling.

[not_that_sasuke]

Who knows. I'm also a little curious...

I thought he'd probably be... well, taller. [Mind, you can't really underestimate people based on height, but... They're about the same size, and Sasuke's still young.]

[puzzlinglad]

Yes, that's true... [Honestly Hershel kind of thought the same thing, whoops... He glances over at Zero with a frown.]

Maybe it isn't him after all, maybe it's a robot. I just can't imagine he'd take this risk, if someone got desperate enough they could do some real damage given the chance.

[not_that_sasuke]

Besides, what kind of 'circumstances' would make him come down here himself? He hasn't had any reason to before, even when he asked for our help.

[puzzlinglad]

Exactly. There's far more to it than meets the eye.

[He sighs softly.] Frankly I'm the most worried about how some of the people here may handle this. It'd be easy to lose your temper...

[not_that_sasuke]

...Even if people try anything, I don't think anyone has a death wish. Besides, I doubt we could get out of here if Zero was seriously wounded. We may just end up locked in for good-- I don't think he'd set it up so the locks would spring if he happened to die.

[puzzlinglad]

Probably, it wouldn't be that easy I imagine. I have a feeling actually getting rid of Zero this way would be something of a death sentence.

[Cheerful.] That does leave the question of what can we possibly do then, if even subduing him won't work.

[not_that_sasuke]

...

Just because it isn't an option right at this moment doesn't mean the situation will always be the same.

[If they subdued him now, they would all surely be doomed. But if they were able to find a better opportunity...]

[puzzlinglad]

That's true. It's something to keep in mind. [He glances at Zero, who could probably hear all of this somehow through spying or being an asshole, but at this point it wasn't like he probably wasn't expecting this sort of talk.

He sighs, rubbing the side of his neck.] Alfendi thinks trying to get enough BP is a good shot, we were talking about it earlier. I wish I had his confidence.

[not_that_sasuke]

[...Ah.]

...I think either way carries a risk. It mostly depends on how much you trust Zero to keep his word. And... how much you're willing to wait for a different option even if you don't.

[puzzlinglad]

He has a point that sooner would be better. The longer we stay here the less likely chance we'll have of getting out. [Given how people get carted away at random it really did seem like a matter of time.]

Still, I think watchful waiting is the better approach.

[not_that_sasuke]

...Maybe eventually. But I don't think wanting to wait for a chance to do something will necessarily take more time than earning those points, either.

No one's reached that total yet, and even if you started betraying for points, it isn't guaranteed to work in the long run. If your opponent realizes what you're doing and wants to keep their points, they'll just block you with a betrayal of their own.

[puzzlinglad]

Exactly, in such a longterm game betrayal is rather foolish.

There is something to be said for a group effort to get one or two people out in hopes they can get help. [He frowns though.] Honestly that still feels to me like sending someone to the slaughter.

[not_that_sasuke]

[He nods.]

All we know is that we can escape here through the number nine door. He never said anything about what would happen once we left. And knowing Zero, there's a reason for that.