EVERYONE'S TRUTH - BEGINNING

[vivariummods]

Since the second group's first Calhoun Hour, the mouse in question hasn't appeared in the warehouse for longer than 30 minutes at a time. He only arrives during the early mornings to tape a random fruit of the day (apples, oranges, and pears so far) before scurrying off with his wagon. He refuses to provide any sort of medical relief for any of the test subjects, and does nothing more but providing the bare minimum to survive. So, when Day 9 rolls around, three days since that faithful finger breaking/eye blinding experience, it's no different; Calhoun comes in, tapes up some bananas, then promptly leaves afterwards, all without a word. An hour after he leaves, though... The screen in the Greenhouse, up against the wall besides the entrance, finally comes to life for the first time. It flickers on and on, flashing brightly. At first, there's nothing but static. Soon enough, though, it stays a consistent green tint. A blinking cursor hovers at the bottom and stays there for a few seconds, before it begins to type. DO NOT DRAW ATTENTION TO YOURSELVES COME TO THE LOBBY AND GO THROUGH THE NEWLY OPENED DOOR I WILL MEET YOU THERE....... And it ends there...

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THE FINAL STOP

[vivariummods]

[ Once the power has been shut off, the group will quickly get confirmation of their deed: the entire warehouse is covered in pitch darkness and it's difficult to get around without having to feel around the walls. Luckily, the hallway back into the main lobby is straight and narrow, leaving no confusion on where to go. Once back, the robotic figure stands directly in the middle of the warehouse. Its glowing red eyes are the only indications that it's even there. ]

[ It congratulates everyone for their success. With the main power shut off, it can finally come out into the open. The group is as close as ever to being set free, but there are some bad news to this: Calhoun's body can no longer be found in the Greenhouse. It speculates on where the little rodent could have run off, after taking a virus like that, but it reassures everyone that it wouldn't be able to function for long. The larger problem is that their captor has used what little control they have left to activate the emergency power in this side of the warehouse. A few doors are still electronically locked, including the way to leave, but worry not. It has anticipated this move. There is one last plan to execute in order to win against the group's captors. ]

[ It doesn't explain further, however. Instead, it hands everyone a small pocket flashlight. Retrieved from the storage room it hid in, they will prove useful to the group. It motions everyone to follow it through a newly opened door and down yet another narrow hallway. Just as dusty and unmaintained as the previous one, the robotic figure stops at a door. It takes a few minutes to fiddle with the electronic lock and with some success, the door opens. It then turns to the group and outstretches a mechanical arm inside. ]

Through here. This will be your last stop before victory is won.

[ It does not budge from its spot by the door, allowing everyone to enter in first and peer into their final destination. ]

[elliexir]

[ This whole thing is starting to get kind of weird. C'mon, when are they going to get out of here? Can't he just... do his magic robot thing on the big number 9 door? Why are they here? ]

[ Ellie doesn't enter the room right away, just looks at the others first before going in. ]

So...... What's with this room?

[vivariummods]

I will explain the significance of this room, but only after everyone enters. You will quickly see for yourself.

[ It remains standing just outside the room, waiting by the door. ]

[elliexir]

[ Well... there's not much she can do so just... going in??? Looking a bit unsure at the others, though, waiting for whatever they think. ]

[toybombs]

[Rio had been clinging to Ellie up until that point, but she stays put when Ellie moves to enter.]

W-wait... aren't you coming in with us?

[1st_response_is_anger]

Yeah, why can't you come too? *Since it seems very suspicious that the helpful robot doesn't want to come along.*

[vivariummods]

One must guard the entrance of the room. It would not be surprising if your captors attempt to send anything that may stop you.

[toybombs]

[Well that's not encouraging in the slightest. Rio's eyes widen in terror.]

Y-you mean they could attack us? Or trap us inside-?!

[She looks to be on the verge of panic. No, no, not again...!]

[vivariummods]

It is a possibility that cannot be ruled out. Therefore, it would be in your best interests should I keep watch out here, in order to prevent any intruders.

[fushuuu]

Didn't you say before that if they catch you, the show's over? Go inside. I'll watch the door.

[elliexir]

Yeah, so stop being so weird about this and come in with us already.

[vivariummods]

[ It remains quiet for a second, but then answers. ]

If my presence will lessen your tensions, then I will follow along.

However, I ask for everyone to follow me into the room. What we are about to do next will require a group effort. If you have no qualms with that, then enter in with me.

[ And then it finally walks into the room, but clearly waits to see if the test subjects will tag along as well. ]

[toybombs]

U-uuu...

[She still seems uncertain, but after watching him enter unharmed, she finally steps in.

Oooh, she has a really, really bad feeling about this...]

[fushuuu]

[Kaidou glares into the dark hallway for long enough for others to enter (hey, it's called 'keeping watch,' guys) before following in himself. If no one was going to stand guard, then they probably all had to move fast. Freedom was almost close enough to taste...]

Now what?

[babel_hacker]

[Atsuro step inside the room, moving his flashlight to see what's inside the room. A... large something? He looks at the robotic figure.]

You said it's a group effort, right? Exactly what do you mean by that?

[vivariummods]

You will see that there are four tanks in this room. The three on the side will have a simple valve you will turn. The main one will have a somewhat more difficult system that you must change, which I will explain to whoever will do it.

Once every valve in this room has been turned, then we will be done here.

[babel_hacker]

A somewhat more difficult system...

[He frowns, before looking at the others.]

If you guys don't mind, I'll take that one.

[elliexir]

Yeah, go for it. I'll take that one tank in the back. Shouldn't be too hard to turn.

[ She'll wait if Rio wants to tag along with her as usual, unless Rio wants to head somewhere else. It's all good either way. ]

[vivariummods]

[ When Ellie takes a look at the tank, she will find a simple valve. It only turns to the left, going counter-clockwise. It takes quite a bit of effort to turn it, but once she does, she will hear the sound of running water. The other two tanks on the western side of the room will be the same. ]

[ As for Atsuro, once he approaches the front (south) side of the main tank, he will see the following: ]



[ The robotic figure will tell him the instructions: ]

There are eight valves in total. You must be turn them either left, right, or down the middle. Change the direction of the levers to match the values at the bottom. Most of the numbers have faded away, but I trust that you will be able to solve this simple puzzle.

However, ensure that you position each valve. Leave none remaining upwards.

[ The valves (that are all pointing upwards) are the numbered blue tiles, and the water can only flow from the top to the bottom. Should Atsuro turn the valve to the left or right, the entire amount of water will flow in the direction. If he should turn it down the middle, the water will evenly split. He must touch each valve and put it in a position (left, right, or middle). Provide an answer for each number in a tag and see if you get it right or not. ]

[babel_hacker]

[So he basically have to make sure the values are all added up correctly? And he have to turn all the valves.]

Got it.

[First, he should turn them and see how they work in action. After looking at each values, he reaches out and start turning the valves.

1: Down | 2: Down | 3: Down | 4: Right
5: Left | 6: Left | 7: Left | 8: Left

All while mentally mapping it.]

[vivariummods]

[ With the handles properly turned, the sound of flowing and moving water could be heard from the tank. Nothing else seems to be happening however... ]

[babel_hacker]

[Nothing seems to be happening... Atsuro looks around, before turning his gaze towards the other tanks. How about their end?]

[toybombs]

[Rio follows Ellie... at first. But then she spots the screen on the north side and looks at it curiously.]

What's this for...?

[elliexir]

[ Ellie gets about 1/10th of turning the valve (god, that shit is heavy and hard), before she turns to whatever Rio is looking at. She walks on over to check. ]

Weird. I thought we turned off the power. Why is this still on?

[toybombs]

D-Do you think that means it's dangerous? Maybe we shouldn't touch it...