EVENT ★ LABYRINTH III: THE ESCAPE

[futurologists]

LABYRINTH III The correct passageway to the inner ring of the maze is hidden behind a thick wall of vines. After cutting through the plants, the structure of the maze is noticeably different: the overgrown plants continue creeping up the walls, but the walls are no longer brick and stone, composed instead of some sort of blue metal with holes and divots carved elaborately into the surface. From some holes gush forth pure, clean water; from others, acidic liquid. The air is cool and crisp, the plants creating a lush, dim environment lit by eerie blue lights spread throughout this section. The lizards, rats, and other monstrous creatures seem to be absent from this area of the maze, replaced instead by rhinoceros-sized beetles. The beetles each have a single horn protruding from the head, and their hard carapaces make them difficult to kill -- a better method might be to simply climb somewhere high and wait for the beetle to get bored. But unlike the other monsters encountered in the maze, the beetles seem to have something else on their mind beyond wanton violence: they can sometimes be found rolling massive balls of dung throughout the corridors of the labyrinth. (This might explain why the plants are so lush closer to the center.) There is little time to explore this section of the labyrinth before there's a flicker of light all around and more ALASTAIR recruits suddenly appear, most dressed in a freshly pressed uniform and carrying extra food and supplies. They have been told that the cloaking surrounding Asterion Labyrinth is so strong and complex that Oska was only able to send in a handful of recruits at once for a relief effort. In order to leave, they'll have to locate the escape mechanism that lies deep within the labyrinth; the remaining Asterion Prison correctional officers know its general location, but not precisely what it entails. All they know is that it will require technological cunning to operate and that it's heavily guarded. After five days, the portal room is found. THE PORTAL ROOM The center of the labyrinth is a large, circular room with a raised platform in the middle. On this platform rests a circle of computer consoles surrounding another platform, on which sits an empty circular frame 2.5m (8') in diameter. This is the dormant portal, and it is now Audentes's task to turn it on and find their way back to Oska. Because the portal is not made for interdimensional travel, it must be overclocked, which will cause it to burn out and explode once it is used. In order to override the safety protocols in place to prevent such dangerous tampering, the control panels must be unlocked -- and unfortunately, the locks are all complicated puzzles, ranging from the numerical to sliding pieces into place to complete a pattern. There are many of these puzzled scattered around the portal room, and once they are all unlocked, it's a simple matter of flipping the power override switches. Ignore the dangerous humming sound and the way the frame suddenly fills with violent purple energy. That's probably normal. The new recruits have the correct coordinates to locate Oska, which has temporarily lowered its cloaking shield to allow Audentes to return. So there is a bit of a time crunch. Adding more to the difficulty of the situation is the presence of a monster lumbering around the circular portal room. Six meters (20') high, the beast is best described as a minotaur, but perhaps not in the traditional sense: while it resembles a bipedal bull, it is an amalgamation of flesh and machine with its body covered in pistons and glowing lights. One of its hands is an enormous axe and it belches fire and acid. Despite its head resembling an herbivore, the piles of desiccated bones scattered throughout the portal room tell a different story. Upon seeing the group, the minotaur charges. Mavahari, the Zymandis recruit, rushes to meet it with her sword drawn. Inmates and correctional officers do their best to fight it as well, but something becomes quickly apparent: it cannot be harmed by projectile weapons. The machinery of the beast keeps it protected from most attacks, though electricity will stun it and acid will corrode its metal. But in order to injure the minotaur, it must be stabbed between the metal plates where its vulnerable flesh remains. During the battle, the minotaur fights viciously and without regard for its own safety. The first casualty comes early: the minotaur swings its axe toward Mavahari, who is pushed out of the way by George. The axe connects with him solidly, sending him flying into the wall with a shuddering impact. George lies there still, but there's no time to mourn. The beast continues its rampage. Once the minotaur is defeated, you'll have to quickly decide what to do with the correctional officers and inmates who have followed Audentes through the Asterion Labyrinth. The overclocked portal won't hold forever, and the longer Oska leaves its cloak down, the better chance they have of being found by their enemies. OOC NOTES This log will last for six IC days: five days for exploration and one day at the center of the maze. We have also recently altered the calendar this month, so make sure you review it! IMPORTANT: Participation in the solution poll is mandatory for August AC. Failure to participate will result in an automatic strike. The only exception is for those who are exempt from August AC. The poll will close on 11 August 23:59 UTC. If you have any questions about the labyrinth that aren't answered here, please direct them to the Leramzen dossier. Questions about the game in general should be directed to the FAQ and you may submit mission ideas or player plots at any time.

Comments

Connor Walsh | ota

[sadgay]

( I. ARRIVAL )

[The sensation of suddenly appearing somewhere else, somewhere completely different from where you thought you were, is not one Connor is well acquainted with yet. With it comes a sharp twisting in his stomach, not for the mind-boggling physics of teleportation but out of dread for whatever comes next. He eyes the towering walls that twist out of view and swallows hard.

a. Turning to another fresh-faced recruit nearby, he asks in what would almost be a conversational tone if not for the accompanying expression, his face not so much fresh as it is pale with nerves:]

Hey, happen to have any experience in coordinating prison breaks?

[b. And when he crosses paths with a jumpsuit-clad veteran of this nonsense, he lopes over. He looks relieved to have found someone else, as if the roles of rescuer and rescued are for the moment reversed. If his demeanor alone doesn't announce his newbie status, he wearing quite plainly the uncomfortable look of one who has no idea what he's doing while vainly pretending otherwise, then the crisp black uniform should finish the job.]

I'm guessing you're who we're supposed to be rescuing here? You know, before David Bowie shows up and tries to make you his goblin queen.

( II. BATTLE )

[As the battle rages on, Connor Walsh, valiant hero that he is, can be found crouching behind a pile of the minotaur's table scraps. Strangely enough, law school has done nothing to prepare him for combat against cyborg knock-offs of mythological beasts.]

What the hell is that? God, we're so screwed...!

[His voice cracks upward, his panic so tremendous that he can't even piece together a sarcastic comment. He holds his head in his hands and his fingers tremble through his hair, fast making a mess of it. He is at present a far cry from the confident and cool man his classmates think they know. Actually, he looks like he might throw up...]

( III. WILDCARD )

[If you have another idea, send it my way! Alternatively, I can write up a custom prompt for you if you like. Contact me at whaleen or via PM to hash out the details.]

[sadgay]

[The comical disparity between the boy's childish appearance and his James Earl Jones-esque voice actually distracts him from his nerves, if only for a fleeting moment. The look of surprise that passes over his face soon twists into a furrowed brow and a half-grin that is all wryness.]

Wow, somebody got beaten over the head by the puberty stick.

[Then he shakes his head and throws his hands up in a disarming sort of gesture.]

Whatever, not important right now-- [He does take a deep breath, but not because this kid suggested he do so.] I'm not about to piss myself, I'm just saying that no part of this whole-- [He gestures emptily, searching for the right word.] --thing doesn't call for a little bit of freaking out.

II

[catphishing]

[It's entirely by chance that Oliver ducks down in the same spot that Connor does. His mind is caught up in the heat of the battle, how much he needs to get out of here. He can handle some fights by now, but this one is so far out of his league that he doesn't even consider an option beside hiding.

He can't stop thinking about George, his death replaying in his mind over and over. George hadn't been the best man to put in charge, but he'd been nice. He hadn't deserved to die like that, and it could so easily have been any of them. He's shaking as he hides, breathing rapidly, but the familiarity of the voice next to him makes it catch in his throat.

He stares at him with wild eyes, unable to speak at first. He can't believe that he's here.]

Connor?

[sadgay]

[He had never wanted to see another dead body again, had even sworn to himself in some fit of emotion or another that his own funeral would never be open-casket, because he did not want to subject anyone to the sight of his body suspended in his final moment. He did not know George, but the spray of blood that had gushed from his body, making of his flesh a limp-limbed ragdoll so carelessly tossed aside, brings him back to Sam. Even though he is across the wide room, he can see in his mind's eye the glassy gaze that must film the dead man's eyes. The memory of what death looks like up close gurgles too readily to the surface.

He did not know George, but that was a life.

Connor hardly takes heed of the person ducking down beside him, too ensconced in his panic to mind what others are doing around him. That is, until a familiar voice brings him to jerk his head up. Even now the mere sight of him is enough to make his heart rise in his chest, and under any other circumstances he might hate himself for it. At present, however, he does not think about how Oliver had broken his heart, or how they had argued the last time they spoke and he was left to adjust to such an unlucky lot alone. He thinks only that this is Oliver.]

What are you doing here? [He begins to reach for him, whether out of habit or want for reassurance, but hesitates, the familiarity of the gesture tarnished.] Wait, were you in jail?

I—b.

[selfimage]

[ there's less blinding orange jumpsuit, and more gaudy green armor. it had been taken from him when they were caught, and he was quite comfortable to get his limbs back into it. it's ostentatious (especially with the horned headpiece) and completely conspicuous.

Loki doesn't seem to care. ]

At this point—[ he gives Connor the once-over, and doesn't even make an effort to hide it. ]—David Bowie would be as welcome. So, are you going to rescue me with a musical number? Take your pick on what era you'd like to take from, I wouldn't want to limit your Bowie choices.

[sadgay]

[He catches that wandering eye, and if his sly expression is anything to go by, he doesn't mind it in the least. He'll even return the favor, and he's generous enough to look past the ostentatious get-up to what really matters (which is that banging bod).]

Well, I don't have much of a singing voice, but I can take a crack at "Starman" to help liven up this death trap.

[This is, oddly enough, the most normal moment of the day so far. Having a cute guy in front of him at least provides incentive to tame his wild nerves, although his anxiety for their predicament still wears through his expression.]

ii

[secondnature]

[Seeing someone cowering like that reminds Keith of all the people that the Galra have attacked. The paladins haven't been able to free a lot of planets, but the ones that have been released from the clutches of the Galra have definitely been weak and defenseless like this. Missions usually don't give him a chance to focus on this. The "civilians" often find a place where they can be safe. At least, that's what they normally do. The labyrinth doesn't give them much of a chance.

After Keith has already taken his punches (so to speak), he slides into a position in front of Connor, holographic but determinedly solid shield up in place.]

I've got you. Nothing's gonna get through me.

[Holding up a shield for someone also means he can rebuild his energy. Win win.]

[sadgay]

[He startles for the sudden movement beside him, and he whips his gaze over to see the back of a spacesuit, and past the spaceman he sees the shimmering glow of the shield, although its purpose as such is not obvious to him. Whoever this man is, he's a hell of a lot better equipped for this bullshit than Connor is. Although Keith insists that he's got him, he doesn't relax just yet.]

You're sure about that? Last time I checked, that's a twenty-foot giant robot ax-murderer bull rampaging around over there, and no offense, but you're just some guy in a...a space suit.

i-b

[figureitout]

[ the jumpsuit-clad "veteran" that he chooses just so happens to be a guy that looks to be no older than eighteen, nineteen at most, carrying what looks to be a staff of some sort on his back

he gives Connor a once-over, before shrugging with a wry grin. ]

Dude, at this point, life as a goblin queen sounds a lot better than life as lizard or giant beetle food.

[sadgay]

[Everyone around here is so young, he's beginning to feel like the weird kid who got held back a few grades...]

Fair point. Hell, I wouldn't mind being David Bowie's bitch even if the other option wasn't a horrible, gruesome death.

[This is followed by a laugh as weak as the shitty beer college kids drink before they know any better, or can afford any better.]

Hey, you hungry at all? [He hooks a thumb over his shoulder to indicate the pack on his back.] I'm hauling at least ten pounds of granola bars and jerky here.

ia

[warheaded]

[Bakugou scowls at the phrasing, because no of course not, that would be illegal and as a future hero he is 100% LAW ABIDING. Not that Connor would know any of that.]
Of course not. [Scoffing] But I at least have experience dealing with actual danger, unlike you.

[Something he can tell just by looking at how nervous the guy is. It's weird given that this is clearly a teenager, but he is wearing... a pretty outlandish costume. Between the huge grenade-shaped gauntlets on his arms and the mask he's pulling onto his face... This is probably not your ordinary kid. He looks up at Connor properly once he's got it in place.]
Just try not to get in the way.

[sadgay]

[Yeah, sure, and he studies law, so he would never dream of committing any illegal acts...

His expression twists into a scowl for the kid's pointed assumption, although he is for the most part correct. Although Connor has had some harrowing ordeals, this is on another level if only for the bizarre circumstance of being on another planet, where all is unpredictable. He doesn't want to know what the local flora and fauna are like, or what kind of creepy aliens were holding the prisoners captive.]

Look, kid. This isn't some game. A nerdy costume isn't gonna help you here.

Ia.

[spacerhyme]

[ he's freshly arrived, but not new to this sort of thing, at all. the doctor glances at the guy, lips pressed together and brow knit, considering, as he takes in his slight pallor.

what sort of people are they recruiting here. ]

Oh, dozens, probably. Maybe hundreds? I lose count.

[ then, with a rather lopsided, not-entirely-comforting smile, ]

It's a doddle. You've only got to do one thing: not get caught.

[sadgay]

[He has wondered the same thing himself, what the hell he's doing here. He has wondered it a dozen times just since being dumped in the maze. He is about as well suited for this shtick as a penguin is suited for life in the tropical rain forest.

His wry look deflates under the doctor's blithe answer, and now he has to wonder about this old guy.]

I was...kinda joking...but okay.

[He casts a look about, tracing the walls and winding paths of the labyrinth as far as he can see from where he presently stands.]

Man, I thought the whole labyrinth method of imprisonment fell out of favor thousands of years ago. Theseus blew it for everyone.

[kisha]

[Connor isn't the only one who might throw up- though some members of Audentes hide it better than others.

All of this is insane. Just like everything leading up to it, everything since she'd woken up in Oska at the beginning of this mission and had to face the fact that she was no longer in her own world, but had potentially gone mad. And maybe she has, because nothing about her 16th century Japanese upbringing in a world without anything she could call "magic" or modern science could have prepared her for this. For a world of aliens, for stealing diamonds, for a prison in the deep black she'd never had the imagination to look up to from the ground, for a labyrinth with a god forsaken man-bull.

If she can just focus on immediate survival... the madness of it can be kept at bay.

With a thundering clatter of hooves, Hayame comes barreling up to and springs into a desperate jump over the scraps Connor hides behind, nearly braining him with her back feet before she lands heavily, stumbles but recovers, spinning about and pulling up the large wooden bow she carries, already reaching for an arrow.]

Move!

[Barked out, eyes wife in a combination of fear and adrenaline, wanting that more protected space from which to fire from. Maybe... she means to the side?]

[sadgay]

[The searing heat of battle brings out the best in some and the worst in others, and Connor falls toward the latter end. He adheres to no strategy or plan. The only thing he can do to abet the situation in any way is to stay out of the way. The only coherent thought his brain can hold onto is that he does not want to die.

When Hayame comes hurtling over the mound of desiccated bones behind which he has barricaded himself, he chokes out a scream and shields himself with his arms. A second later he realizes that this is the centaur lady he had seen bathing in the hot springs. And in the next second, he answers her orders. His body has difficulty complying with his brain, however, and he ends up stumbling in spectacular fashion as he scrambles aside.

This is how he dies, right? Without a shred of dignity?]

ia

[cutlery]

[ Sebastian collects himself as all of the other recruits do the same. This isn’t the ideal situation, he has to admit, but it could be worse, he supposes. Some of the things that Ciel had tasked him with were certainly more unpleasant and more impossible than this. Though even so, it does feel a bit at odds with him. It’s strange for a demon to help with a rescue mission, isn’t it?

He’s considering that idly as he prepares when Connor speaks to him, and he looks over curiously at first, but it shifts into a small smile and a laugh. ]

Ah, well…

[ He starts a bit sheepishly, but it comes with a nod. ]

Once before, yes, though it was quite a while ago, admittedly.

[ Centuries ago, technically, but he doesn’t need to know that detail, does he? ]

I-b aw here it goes

[pummelling]

[Normally, Kung Jin would be grateful: the new recruits have brought food, supplies, and a much-needed dose of hope for them all getting to leave this hellhole sooner rather than later.

But he's tired and dirty, the humidity has fucked with his hair, he's conveniently misplaced his boyfriend, and he's just overall on edge. It's been a long... however long it's been, and he can't help himself. Besides. Connor Walsh just has one of those faces that begs to be bitched at.]

You got it. I just didn't think they'd actually be sending in the muppets.

[casually returns to fussily breaking a bit off his bar of rations...]

ii. oH BOY

[keeper]

[ wow what is this half-rate law school he went to, his degree might as well be TOILET PAPER if he can't fight a minotaur with it

But anyway, his suffering draws Aqua in his direction, kind-hearted magnet she is, possibly because he looks terrible when he cries and she'd like him to stop, if only to save the rest of her teammates from the sight of him. (...That is not actually true, I'm sorry Kath I'll be serious. :c)

Really, this isn't the best initiation for a new recruit (other than the obvious, his fresh uniform is an indicator of his recent arrival), and she does feel a degree of sympathy for him.

She kneels down next to him, placing a concerned hand on his shoulder. (...Possibly a breach of social boundaries and personal space, she doesn't even know him, but he seems like he needs someone to pull him back to his senses.) ]

Hey, it'll be okay. ...What's your name?

Ib

[feytality]

How do I know you aren't David Bowie? [Well, the rescuee looks pretty happy to see him. She waves when he comes over, but the sight of her may not be so reassuring, since it's just an odd-looking shrimpy teenager who looks like she hasn't eaten a solid meal in weeks now]

Quick--- how tight are your pants? Do you have any urges to break out into song? Where are the muppets?

[She seems to be pretty cheerful, though]

ia;

[feathery]

Oh hell yeah.

[Somehow, he manages to deliver all of this deadpan.]

I am an expert in prison breaks. The guru of getaways, the wizard of bailouts. Houdini don't got nothing on me.

[He's yet another ALASTAIR member who seems pretty chill about all of this, but that's probably less surprising when he's an orange bird ghost.

It's probably hard to expect normal reactions from an orange bird ghost.]

1b with a twist, as promised.

[tolight]

[ It's strange, almost, to see the familiar, ALASTAIR-clad colors on someone. Everything has been searingly orange for the last while, at least on her teammates; and while she's not one who can speak to fashion, the change is still... alarming ( welcoming, after the initial knee-jerk reaction of wishing that their first mission could be better than whatever this is ).

Point is, while Lucina's expression does brighten at the sight of a ( brand-new ) team member, it takes a moment— and then immediately falls again, once she takes in his current state. She's dirty and in need of a long shower, but at least she's not limping ( yet ). Eyebrows furrow, weird, out-of-this world reference definitely ignored as she closes the last little bit of distance between them. ] Lucina, a pleasure, despite the circumstances.

[ She's better at introductions, in theory. Just not when there's other, more important things to worry about. ] ... Does it sting? [ Her eyes are on his leg, the torn up pants and the bright red that seems to seep at certain corners. ]

ib, gently dogpiles you

[12inches]

[ Oh look! Finally, something that isn't scuttling out of the bushes to try and eat him! A normal human! Sporting that completely lost but trying to deny it look that Sigma's usually got on his face. At least he's wearing the ALASTAIR logo. In a pleasant swapping of roles, he returns the man a relieved and tired grin. He's looking pretty worse for wear compared to the new guy, his orange jumpsuit torn and stained with splotches of green that's probably blood, but also probably not his. ]

I know what it looks like, but the labyrinth's a red herring. This is obviously a Ziggy Stardust situation. We're a buncha starmen arguably trying to save the world, you shiny black uniform guys are popping out of black holes, and the spiders are... definitely from Mars.

[ He'd been joking up to this point, but he suddenly looks as if he's seen war. The insects here are fucking horrifying. ]

ii.

[wyvil]

[A jumpsuit-clad teenager who doesn't look like he could be any older than seventeen, clutching the strap of his satchel slung over his shoulder like his life depended on it (the bombs inside it are no match for the minotaur, even the strongest of them were frustratingly useless against the monster, much to Wylan's surprise) probably isn't the reassuring company Connor wanted. But it's the company he's going to get.

The man huddled behind the wreckage is too familiar, reminds Wylan too much of the first time he found himself in real trouble. He crouches besides the older man, trying to keep his voice steady and reassuring.]

Are you going to be okay? [It's not the most eloquent question he could ask, but hopefully it will be one the distressed newcomer can answer.]