The Adaptive Game

"HIGH LEAD"

- Vector

Big day. Huge day.

We're going back out again. After lunch.

And it's a team game, so this is going to be a good round. With me in charge.

"Gather a team of 8. This challenge also requires cooperation, just like the last one. Choose one person from your team to lead. It must be someone reliable and able to solve the puzzle at the end."

I put my arms around the group to huddle.

"Alright guys, I'll do it. I'll be the lead."

"One of us can't join. We have 9 people."

"Wait. He's right, we need someone to leave."

I scratch my head.

"Uh, I... I don't want to drop any of you guys."

"You won't have to. I'll leave."

Conner comes into the middle of the circle.

"No, no! Conner, we need you. Trust me. You're the brains of this operation. You always know what to do."

"So... why'd you nominate yourself as leader then? Well, nevermind that. Truthfully, I'm the creative and wise kind of intelligence. If you want the knowledge kind... it's not me."Emilia comes from behind Conner - practically completely out of sight while standing behind him - raises her hand.

"That's... that's me."

I begin to make a hesitating stance, but I don't have an excuse. I need her.

Everyone looks at me and I know they don't want to leave. Any of them.

"All of you are useful, I know. I don't want to be biased or have any favouritism... so, Eddie, we'll... we'll see you later."

I brace for him to punch me or something, but he just reaches out to shake my hand.

I shake his hand and he shakes everyone else's. He then leaves our circle and goes to find another group.

"Without even saying anything..."

"He'll be fine, Vector. I've known him for a while and he can get out of lots."

"Then... let's go."

We walk up to the main door and then start going up multiple flights of stairs downwards to the outside.

It's raining outside, now. The entire ground is all swamped.

I can see circle guards moving bodies out of the pool, putting their electrocuted corpses into coffins, and marching them right into the building again.

"You will be playing the game Relay, with your 8 people you will line up in your designated spots while your team leader will take each of your relaying clues when you pass it to them. However, there will be a timer for each set of relays. If you do not give the clue to the last person within the small time limit, the person who is holding the clue will be executed. Teammates must fill the gap for any executed teammates. Dropping the clue will result in your execution."

That was a lot to take in. But I don't have to do any running around so I'll be fine.

Unless our whole team goes down.

Then it's my responsibility to help them win!

"Alright guys, get a fair distance apart and when the guard gives you the clue, go quickly! Remember, if you drop the clue you're gone. Be fast or you're done as well!"

I begin walking to my side and a guard is at the other side.

"Okay, so what do we do sir?"

The triangle guard doesn't say anything. He grabs both my arms and starts to tie me up.

"What the?"

Now he speaks.

"You are not allowed to solve the puzzles before all the clues come by."

"Oh, dang it. Okay."

I hear a lock click behind me and I'm indefinitely stuck.

A horn sounds and I hear everyone start running.

There are 20 seconds on the clock for this bracket. People are in such a huge rush. After a little while, Buck runs over to me and puts the clue in my chained hands.

Reading it, there is a three digit number.

4/9/7?

There aren't any combination locks around here. Is this referrring to a date? April 9 1997?

Out of nowhere a shot rings out and everyone on my team stops moving.

We lost our high lead.