Skara Braens

Part 9

Part 8 Vote Tally

Option A - 0
Option B - 3
Option C - 0

Onward!

Deciding that caution was the best course of action, and not really having any plans at present, you decide that it is probably for the best if you just let the psionic lead you to a cell and lock you up.

The man does not engage you in any conversation as you are led into a small shack that looks like it's about to fall to pieces.  You watch in silence as the man pulls back a rug to expose a thick iron trap door.  He hauls it up to reveal a set of rusted steel steps heading down into a smooth grey tunnel.

"After you," the psionic says.

Shrugging, you descend the steps.  The steel is cool, a relief for your aching, overheated feet.  As you descend, you notice that the tunnel is lit a little way down, far enough from the entrance that it looked dark.  You pause at the base of the stairs and look around.

The walls are grey and cool, feeling a little like stone to the touch.  How were these tunnels created?  You see no carve marks, nor is there any of the natural colour variation found in stone.

"Cement," the psionic says from behind you.

"What is that?" you ask him.

"Cement?  It's a mixture of sand and other things that are mixed with water and then poured into moulds to shape into anything we want.  It's very useful for building."

"Oh."  You ponder a moment as to what alchemist or sage discovered the perfect recipe for liquid stone.  And why did you not know what cement was?  You know what grass and stone are.   You know pottery and beaten metal.  You know spears and javelins, clubs, bows and swords, knives and other weapons, but these 'tanks' and 'mechanical pack mules' and the strange steel sticks the men carry for weapons are a mystery to you.  You know so much about what things are, but not cement?

"It's this way," the psionic says, brushing past you to lead the way.  You pull your thoughts back together and follow the man down the tunnels, turning around so many corners that you quickly lose your way.

There are few people in the tunnels, but all of them are dressed the same - dark green trousers with a long sleeved shirt int he same colour.  Black boots that rise to halfway up the shin don their feet.  Strapped to their black belts at their hips are shorter versions of the long steel stick weapons as well as, if the voices coming from them are to be believed, some sort of communication device.

It is cool down in these tunnels.  Though you find it a welcome relief after a day in the hot sun, your skin prickles in an effort to warm you.

"We've found that going underground is generally safest for now.  The risen dead don't seem to be able to think for themselves beyond "chase" and "kill" and lack enough fine motor skills to work latches of any kind.  As an added bonus, we have protection against the elements to a degree housing above ground cannot provide.  I know it can be a bit claustrophobic, but you are safer here than anywhere else.  We're almost there."

"When did this start?  The rising of the dead, I mean."

"About forty years ago, actually.  Strange to think that I was not yet born when the first dead got up and started walking around.  This hellscape is all I've ever known."

You fall silent a moment.

"We're here."  The psionic says, stopping at a door with iron bars over the window.  He passes his hand over a small rectangular box that juts out from the wall near the door.  The red light on the box switches to green, you hear a buzz and a click and the door starts to swing open slowly.  You follow the psionic through the door to another similar door.  The psionic repeats the process and then you are in what is clearly a prison.

It is empty.

"This facility was used as a secret prison," the psionic says.  "Where we kept some of the worst people imaginable.  They were used..." He coughs.  "They were used in experiments.  Thanks to them, we were able to make some serious medical breakthroughs.  All for nought, in the end.  Whatever this plague is, it has undone everything."

"Am I going to be experimented on?"

The psionic laughs.  "No.  Not if I can help it at least.  You can pick whatever cell you want.  We won't bother locking it at night.  You have the run of the whole space now.  There's a library on subbasement three, which will do wonders to help alleviate your boredom some.  We'll bring you food three times a day until we can figure out what's going on with you."

You nod.

"Now," the psionic continues.  "They should have brought blankets and pillows as well as spare clothing.  There's a laundry facility and showers as well.  I know it must be galling to be a prisoner, but you'll be very well cared for, I promise."

"Thank you."

The psionic nods.  He offers you a small smile before turning to leave.

"What is your name?"

He turns back to you and blinks in surprise.  "Pardon?"

"Your name.  What is it?"

After a long pause, he says, "You are the first person to ask me that since I was assigned this post."  It seems to you he looks a little sad.  "My name is ___________."

[Time for a mini vote. This won't have much bearing on the story save for the backstory of the character. Each name has its own backstory:

a) Robert
b) Eli
c) EP149

Against, this is a non-crucial vote, so if there's a tie, I'll just roll a dice and continue on. Have fun with this one!]

You smile at him.

"I'll be back at dinner time with food."

"Thank you," you say again.

With nothing else to note, the psionic turns and leaves you to your devices.  What do you do?

a) Check out the joint and locate all the important stuff: Library, laundry, and showers.
b) Pick which of the many cells will be your bedroom for however long you're here.
c) It's a long shot, but check for any escape routes created by the previous inhabitants of this prison.

You have two weeks to vote this time, as this coming Friday I will be in Alberta at When World's Collide.  Voting therefore ends 18 August 2016 at midnight.

Good luck, Adventurers!