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

[tolight]

[ At least there's no intense pain that runs down her legs, or her arms — small mercies. She doesn't dare move, not with the sudden blazing that fills her ears, or the way that her back heats up ( and yet, she's unharmed. She'd roll over to look up, if she was certain that her hair wouldn't catch on fire ).

At least, eventually, the worst of it dies down. It takes her a second longer before the voice actually reaches her ears, and she grits her teeth as she props herself up on her elbows ( sore from the impact, but still workable ). ] I'm alright.

[ More importantly— ] Are you? The blast did not get you anywhere, did it?

[figureitout]

[ he's pretty sure his arms are a little banged up, and he definitely scratched his knee with the rough landing — but it's fine, in the grand scale of things, and it barely registers in the face of what could have been. a few bruises are nothing compared to getting roasted by a minotaur. ]

Nah, I'm good. Thanks to you, that is. [ well, technically he could have, you know, jumped out of the way himself or something... but he's not going to point that out, either. not when she risked getting burned to just help him. ]

You had any luck with that thing yet? [ as in, what would slow it down, if not kill it. ]

[tolight]

[ Look, you clearly can't be a shounen when you employ useless things like logic in the middle of a highly tense situation, c'mon Stiles. Gotta think with your feet or not think at all.

That said — Lucina's gaze darts over to the minotaur again, once she's gotten the confirmation that she needs. Eyebrows knitting together, her voice letting out a simple and frustrated: ] Not yet. [ But that'll be a yet, if she can help it. ] The armor is impenetrable, and none of our ranged weapons seem to be doing anything. [ Which means— ]

We'll have to get closer, I imagine.

[figureitout]

[ no... he's the unfortunate best friend of a shounen, and thus still capable of employing such strange things as logic. ]

Well, that sounds highly dangerous and possibly suicidal. [ his voice is as dry as Atacama. possibly dryer, please send the rain squad. ]

... want backup? [ hey, he heard that we. and clearly highly dangerous and possibly suicidal is totally on his list of how-I-want-to-spend-this-afternoon. ]

[tolight]

[ Oh god he's one of those.

The sarcasm is noted ( instead of completely misunderstood, which is nice, she's learning ) with a small smile, despite the situation, eyes flashing in amusement. But all of that disappears the moment his support is offered, jaw tensing.

... She doesn't want to put anymore people in danger than she has to, and yet— ] ... It would be appreciated. [ They're going to need all the help they can get. ] How long can you keep your shield for, and how much can it withstand?

[figureitout]

[ you know it!!

he appreciates her understanding of the sarcasm, everyone who understands sarcasm instantly gains 10 points in his eyes — and even more... he appreciates that she doesn't shut him off immediately. it is what he expected, for her to tell him she's fine, she can handle it — but she can't, as this isn't something any of them can handle alone.

he nods, the sarcasm and dryness falling away as his voice is surprisingly serious. ]

I think I've hit something like five to fifteen minutes, depending on how much I have to use it. Like, if it only stops a few attacks, I can hold it up longer, but if it's constant attacks... Anyway. What do you have in mind?

[tolight]

[ A pause, as she processes the information. Not that they have a lot of time to begin with — her gaze darts out to the beast again, maybe it'll leave them alone just long enough for them to get their bearings together. So far, so good.

( ... She's no Robin. She's always listened to strategies, as opposed to coming up with her own, and some part of her knows she'll never hold a candle to their tactician's brilliance. But this isn't the time to wish for things she can't have, either. )

She speaks quickly. ] If you can get me closer, for as long as your shield can hold— I should be able to strike it in its underside. [ It won't kill it, but it'll be a start. ] Should you be willing.