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

pol trying to entice me......

[feytality]

[Now that she's finished her food, she's looking him up and down like a hopeful puppy, waiting for more. When he procures another bit, she has some vague manners and waits until he actually hands it to her before snatching. Her stomach growls intimidatingly, though]

...That doesn't sound so bad, actually. [Maya, no, don't vomit just because you're hungry. At the question, she pauses, going still in thought.]

I, um---- I don't know, actually, how long have I been in here? [Thaaaat's probably not a good sign. She has no way to tell how much time has passed, though]

[spacerhyme]

[ definitely dying. ]

Too long, then.

[ he must save her, before the hunger drives her to insanity and she goes for his face. first, though, he thrusts his hand out, palm facing her. ]

Actually chew, this time, I'm serious! It won't do either of us any good if you're sick on my shoes - they're my only pair now.

[ and then carefully....... holds the rations out. ]

[feytality]

You can say that again!

[Don't be foolish, Doctor, how can she reach his face??]

[She makes a face at his fussing, but since he's providing her food (and having just eaten settles her down a little), she'll comply. It's still at a ridiculously quick pace, but there's chewing!! and swallowing involved!! incredible]

Whew! I feel a lot better. Thanks, mister.

[spacerhyme]

[ she can surely jump several feet!

watches her eat, still vaguely unnerved... but, she's alright. a job well done. ]

Not 'mister' - Doctor. The Doctor.

I'll speak to them about doing the catering properly, next time. And sending better clothes. It's the least they can do, considering.

[feytality]

[Listen, she isn't a Clamp character, there is only so high she can jump and nine feet up isn't it.]

[She polishes off the last of what he gave her, and then looks at him hopefully as if he's going to give her more]

The... Doctor? [She tilts her head] That's not your name, is it? [Normally, she wouldn't even consider it, but she met someone named "Eight", who apparently had like, eleven other numbered siblings, so anything is possible]

Oh, good! [she's still in her tattered orange jumpsuit that she's barely filling out thanks to not having eaten for like.... forever. So she approves] I'll second that motion! First prison, then an endless labyrinth with skeletons and acid lizards... that deserves a feast and a whole new wardrobe, if you ask me.

1/2

[spacerhyme]

[ THAT'S ALL FOR NOW. there are possibly other people here who might need to eat. maybe. ]

It is. [ tilts his head back at her. mock-offended. ] There's not something wrong with it, is there? It's a bit too late to tell me that now.

[ he's so old, he can't get a new name. ]

[spacerhyme]

Well, we'll get you sorted once we're back. Hopefully there'll be some decent sandwiches.

[ then looks pointedly at her jumpsuit-- ] ...Unless you're a dangerous prisoner, in which case, I'm afraid it's back behind bars for you.

[ i mean, she is giving off that violent psychopath vibe. ]

[feytality]

[impossible, no one needs to eat except Maya] It's not a name you know, it's a title! You need an actual name. .... But pulling in a doctor is a pretty good thing, I think a lot of people need one.

[including her but details]

[she huffs, though!!!

No! We all got arrested 'cause of that mission. And we didn't even get a trial! They were just gonna dump us here to get offed by a giant bull or whatever! I was ready to kick butt in court, but... nothing!

[it's just a load of bull if you ask her]

[spacerhyme]

[ his voice goes an octave higher, defensively, ] 'Course it's a name! It's my name.

[ he's not gonna correct her re: what type of doctor... yet. his eyebrows rise up. ]

What sort of justice system is that? They won't even execute their own criminals themselves - everything's become so impersonal these days.

Speaking of... where is the giant bull?

[feytality]

[Touchy subject....] Look, I can just give you a new name. Like mine, Maya! You don't have to go by what your parents called you.... Sometimes they're not great about the naming thing. [Case in point: the numbered kids]

Not only that, they skipped the whole trial thing! Where are the lawyers? The prosecutors? The judge? [no jury because those don't exist] Where's the heart? The bull doesn't even have a gavel!

[clearly their outrage is about the same thing] I think I saw it, it's closer to the center.... I didn't get a really good look, though.

[spacerhyme]

[ he doesn't really care, but her insistence is pretty funny. practically no one assumes that's his actual birth name. he almost doesn't want to correct her, but... ] Oh, no, I know. That's why I go by 'the Doctor'.

[ it's not very Cool and Mysterious otherwise. ]

You seem to know an awful lot about court. [ several different words!
he points at her. ] Are you a lawyer?

[ kinda joking. but, y'know, maybe babies can be lawyers on her planet. can't judge. ]

[feytality]

[look the reason she is was because of this one mom who named her kids after numbers] That's not much better..... but if you insist, Mr. The Doctor.

[she might try to name him something else, though, prepare yourself]

No, but my sidekick is! [Said with complete seriousness. (Yes, Phoenix is definitely the sidekick here) Babies being lawyers in AA is actually pretty much how it is, but Maya, thankfully, isn't one of those babies who became a lawyer at the age of 13 or whatever] So I know my way around. And lemme tell you, this is total bull!

[She's got jokes]

[spacerhyme]

[ makes a face... but drops the topic of his name. for now. ]

Your sidekick? [ that's obviously true. ] Unconventional companion for a convict-- ...or actually, maybe not.

Are they here?

[feytality]

[HUFFS..... looks like he hit a sore spot] I'm not a convict! I'm innocent! And Nick isn't like that, he's about protecting the innocent! The people with no one on their side!

[And the hot air balloon deflates after that, because Maya can't pretend like she doesn't miss Phoenix like crazy.]

.... No. It's just me here.

[AAAAAAALLL BY MYYYSEEEEEEELF]

[spacerhyme]

[ sounds like something a convict would say......................

he doesn't look very sorry for offending her, oh well. ]

All alone? You can't be wandering around here on your own, half-starved and three feet tall. Haven't you found a new sidekick?

[feytality]

[she was going to volunteer you as her sidekick, but now she's having second thoughts......]

[she rolls her eyes at the short joke, but as long as he isn't insulting Phoenix's honour she'll let it go.]

I dunno. I have a few applicants, but no one's really impressed me so far. Why? You wanna throw your stethoscope into the ring?

[spacerhyme]

[ it wasn't a joke. cold hard facts. ]

Oh, no - no, I'm no sidekick.

But I've plenty of experience picking them out. It's a fairly straightforward process.

[ none of his 10 billion previous companions are here to punch him for calling them sidekicks. neener. ]

[feytality]

[SQUINTS.... she's not convinced] All sidekicks say that, yanno.

[This will come back to bite you in the butt, Doctor... They'll Find Out. Somehow]

So? What's this so-called straightforward process?

[now they're getting offtopic...]

[spacerhyme]

[ maybe. maybe that's what he WANTS.

he crouches down slightly, more to her level, and points at the nearest gathering of people. he's about to impart some goddamn knowledge. secrets of the trade. ]

Well, usually, I find a crisis, and look for the cleverest person in the room. That's me, right now, so you'll have to settle for second best. But you also need one who provides a good contrast - like stature, gender, accent, or relative pluckiness.

And the one with a name easiest to shout out in the middle of said crisis. That's probably the most important.

[ what the hell was the topic? ]

[feytality]

[Maya considers this....... her irritation has smoothed over as he imparts his words of wisdom]

...You know, that's pretty good advice. "Nick" is really easy to yell out, all dramatically, and he's the grumpy old man to my youthful cheer and adorableness.

[And he wants people to call him Doctor, which is also very easy to yell out... yes, this all makes perfect sense. She pumps her fist into the air]

Alright, Mr. The Doctor! You've convinced me! I'll take you on as my sidekick!

[spacerhyme]

[ FISSION MAILED

who could have foreseen...! ]

Wha-- [ wide-eyed, old man confusion?? ]

No, no. No, I said I'm not - it doesn't work like that!

[feytality]

You said it yourself, I'd have to settle for second smartest if I picked anyone else. Why settle? I'll put you to the test, right now! [You did this to yourself!!!]

[She's Returned to Full Perkiness]

Come on, sidekick! Let's go help some injured people!

[spacerhyme]

[ he thrusts his finger out at her, indignantly!! ]

You didn't listen at all! I'm not going to-- [ wait ]

...yes, let's help people, but - but not because I'm a sidekick!

[feytality]

There's no time for squabbling, sidekick! Onwards, to the giant bull robot!

[and then she's scampering off]

[spacerhyme]

[ mutters 'doctor' under his breath, but follows after her, regardless.

he does not scamper, though!! ]