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

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[ Sebastian is dutifully looking through other piles of debris looking for anything useful as well. It’s less for him, though that’s not quite out of any degree of selflessness. He doesn’t have a selfless bone in his body, honestly. But he is quite serious about following directions, especially if they suit his purposes, and luckily, he has no complaints with these. So long as he can return to his master eventually, this is temporarily fine. He’s done much more humiliating things, no thanks to Ciel…

He’s in the middle of inspecting a weapon that he’s just found, though he’s fairly certain it’s not accetable. It’s old and cracked, and he imagines if he gave it someone, it very well may shatter the first time it was used. That’s not quite ideal, and it’s about what everything so far has looked like. So in a way, he’s a bit pleased to hear that the man he’s with is having a bit more luck with the task. ]

You found one in good condition?

[ He sets the sword he’d found aside as he stands and turns to face the doctor, and he gives the sword a look. He nod lightly, even looking a bit impressed. ]

Ah, that is not bad at all— Are you sure you do not want it for yourself? You did find it, after all.

1/2

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I'm not really a sword person. I've got all the weapons I need on me already.

[ he appears to be unarmed - swords aside. ]

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[ and then, as he turns to face him fully, ]

I'll let you have it, to defend yourself with - but turn it on any other person here, and you will answer to me.

[ whether sebastian pays that any heed, it's clear the old guy's not fucking around. it's the standard disclaimer, you understand.

he holds the hilt out to the other man, eyes fixed on him. ]

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[ The reprimand surprises him, though it’s not wholly unfamiliar. In fact, to be completely fair, it’s well warranted, because even with his polite manners and put together appearance, it’s very much a case of a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He wonders if this man is able to see through that, if he has some sense of what he truly is… But he won’t simply ask. Sebastian would also proudly boast that he’s a well-behaved wolf, even so. He may delight in bloodshed and misery, but he’s a demon that would also prefer a slow, methodical path to his goals. So, in this case, it certainly suits him to play along until it’s called out further.

He takes the hilt of the sword with a respectful,but smooth bow of his head, as if this was second-nature to him. He’s perfectly deferential, and his surprise turns into a small smile. ]

Of course, sir. Truth be told, when we come across someone more in need of it, I would be happy to give it to them instead.

[ ...Because he’s a cheater that doesn’t really need it. It’s just nice to have. Once he has the sword, he turns it carefully in his hand as if testing the weight, but his attention turns back to the doctor. ]

Is that a general disclaimer, by the way? I would hope I have not done something so quickly to cause offense.

[spacerhyme]

[ his expression softens - only slightly, though, he's just got a very intense face.

fortunately(?) for sebastian, he's not that sort of psychic. doesn't sense anything, doesn't really suspect anything. ]

General. [ he makes a wide gesture with his free hand. ]

Handing out deadly weapons to complete strangers is generally a bad idea - but under the circumstances, I've had to be a bit flexible. Consider it a fair warning... don't misuse it, then we won't have a problem.

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[ Sebastian nods agreeably, though out of curiosity, as their conversation continues, he does take a closer look at the sword. The style, details, artistry—Anything that could help him identify where or when it could be from, though he does know that perhaps he might not recognize it at all. There’s something a bit thrilling about that prospect, he’d have to admit. ]

Of course. Please consider the general warning taken. I have no intention of hurting any of our allies, at least.

[ And ultimately… No, he can’t quite identify it. There are some parts that are familiar to him, but others that in combination don’t seem quite right. He keeps it in hand if only for not having a better place to put it, and heads to another pile to search through it for anything of use. ]

Though it must be quite a desperate situation… Generally, it would seem that sending new recruits on a rescue mission would be, well, I would say a bit unwise.

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Good.

[ he nods, accepting that. at least the man sounds like he means it. ]

Oh, it's a colossally stupid thing to do, yeah. Barely a briefing, no training at all, they've just dropped a load of fresh abductees into the belly of the beast. Recipe for disaster. Probably the beast's favorite.

Fortunately, I've broken out of more prisons than I can remember.

[cutlery]

[ He sighs, but it’s the sort of tired sigh that clearly expresses agreement with the sentiment. He doesn’t seem particularly alarmed by it, which Sebastian supposes is good. It speaks to experience, which he confirms as he continues, and that’s far better than having to lead through a situation, he’d say. ]

I suppose they may have the idea of a trial by fire, so to speak, but it does put many more people at risk than simply sending experienced people…

[ He looks up and towards the doctor, and there’s a mild curiosity in his expression and tone. ]

But at least you have experience with it. I admit, I have done so once before, but it was quite a while ago. I would also not say it is an experience that is really applicable to this.