Hostile Action Trial

[mockmods]

[As you all finish investigating, an electric chime rings out across the PA system.]

I believe that should be sufficient time for you all to prepare. Assistant, please escort everyone to the trial room.

[Penny emerges from the Security office again, head down, and slowly collects everyone; she leads you all to the east side of the common room, to the short hallway between dorms B1 and A2, that’s dead ended through your entire time here. As your group approaches, the wall seamlessly slides up to reveal a hidden doorway. Passing through leads to another short hallway and a small, round room, just big enough to hold all of you. Penny passes her ID over a small pad near the doorway, and it blinks green before the room lurches slightly beneath you; an elevator going down.]

[A short trip down leads you to a larger chamber, with a series of twenty-two podiums set up in a ring; in the center is a column of computer stations with large monitors, behind a set of thick metal beams with occasional faint flashes of energy arcing between them and a constant, low hum.]

Welcome to your first trial, Participants. You will use this time to determine which among your number killed the Legendary Bassist, and send them to justice. Failure to choose the correct culprit will have dire consequences for you all.

[Trial: commence.]

Comments

[eudaimonikos]

Patches was a Participant who the Researcher incinerated last week. Everyone saw it, including you.

[look, someone might as well answer her]

[in4apounding]

That's- it- ...I CAN'T-

[She's struggling against the blank moments that have been clouding her since day one.]

...What. What else have I been- forgetting, do you know?

[windowsexplorer]

Ruby.

She's your friend. Your real friend. [She's glaring at The Computer Tower when she says that.]

[in4apounding]

...Ruby?

[She kind of gets that blank look again. Just for a second.]

...Ruby. ...I had a friend.

[windowsexplorer]

You still do, I'm sure.

[eudaimonikos]

Personally, I can only attest to a few conversations. You blanked out on most of the first time we talked, I was trying to tell you about how the Researcher's just a dirty utilitarian.

[is that even a real insult]

Anyone else got anything to fill Penny in on? Only seems fair, at this point.

[in4apounding]

Utilit- ....you mean how he's a big jerk who actually just wants to kill people?

[eudaimonikos]

Basically, yes!

[aragona]

Do you remember our first meeting?

[Just checking.]

[in4apounding]

Yes- I mean, I'm pretty sure? Was there one before you attacked me and I flipped you onto the floor? ...Which I'm really, really sorry about, by the way.

[aragona]

[Dammit, he didn't erase the important stuff.]