Tom Reitz motioned ahead of Isaacs and Hartwell to stand in the middle of the large room. "Gather around!" He barked, hands on his hips. The 48 year old mustachioed man had the chiseled frame of a bodybuilder, accentuated by a slimming blue overcoat and tailored black slacks. Investigators and scientists stopped whatever they were doing and formed a circle around the three men. James Kepler rushed over to Dr. Isaacs like a whipped pup. Brief words were exchanged before the assistant hurried off toward the double doors and disappeared from sight. Soft murmurs, and even some giggles-no doubt exacerbated from the libations had- bounced around the naked cement walls. Reitz stepped forward. He sternly peered into everyone's souls and waited until there was complete silence. 

"This fall rotation was a tough one," He began, pacing back and forth as he stared off into the distance. "While we've successfully managed to relocate over 10,000 Inner Shell civilians into our borders, the creatures we're encountering are getting braver by the day." Tom momentarily stopped mid-stride, clenching his teeth. "Let me break those numbers down, people." Mr. Reitz' tone grew harsh and irritable. "Out of the 50 Investigators whom graduated the first year of 453, only [u]seven[/u] are left active. Out of the 40 Investigators that graduated the 2nd year, only [u]twenty-three[/u] of you remain."

"Sixty." Tom said flatly. "Sixty of us are either dead, or rotting in a hospital, or locked away in a padded cell at Atrius Asylum. Do you know what that means, Investigators?" The rhetorical question was layered with a tinge of anger. "It means if we continue at this rate we won't survive the next winter."

Professor Hartwell coughed, stepping forward to join Tom. "Fortunately, we've been able to replenish our ranks with some great potentials." He glanced back at Dr. Isaacs, who then gestured over to James Kepler. He had been waiting behind the double doors, looking through the small crack between them in anticipation for Isaac's signal. Kepler pushed the doors wide open, and as he did, a line of people in dark grey uniforms entered the Test Floor. The circle of investigators and scientists made room for twenty individuals. They lined up behind Dr. Isaacs without saying a word.   

Tom looked at each of them with pride. "These are new recruits. They're green, but we've put them through rigorous training." 

A feint giggle was heard and Tom immediately snapped to its attention. "Who laughed?" The tension within the room grew heavy by the second as everyone looked around in bewilderment. Nobody fessed up. Mr. Reitz became absolutely livid. "This is no laughing matter! Do you all think this is some sort of game!? Have the decency to step forward you coward!" It came again, except this time it was more drawn out and eerily menacing. It sounded strained and low, like a growling hound ready to bark. "Who's laughing!?" Tom snarled. 

[hider=A Whisper In Your Mind][center][color=yellow][i]"...The Yellow King..."[/i][/color][/center][/hider]

The air in the room went cold. The double-doors slammed shut. Every Consortium member in the Testing Floor scrambled to draw some form of weapon as they assessed the situation. Many of the new recruits fled to where they could hide. All but five. They stood like drunken fools, flailing uncontrollably as they formed some kind of phalanx at the center of the room. Dr. Isaacs and Professor Hartwell, still in disbelief, trembled backward. Tom Reitz stood shocked, mouth agape. 

"How...how did they get past the border...how did you get in he-"

[color=red][b]"Rugath"[/b][/color] Two of the five called out. 

[color=green][b]"Shreth"[/b][/color] The other two hissed. 

The last who was in the middle of the wicked formation tilted her head into an impossible angle. Her mouth stretched out into a twisted grimace. [color=purple][b]"Umayeth!!!"[/b][/color]

The loud crack of bones and shredding sinew harmonized with their agonizing screams. Flesh was torn asunder, and the blood and meat that covered their bodies oozed red, green, and purple colored tar.

"Spirit Wraiths!" Dr. Isaacs shouted. "Capture them quickly, or they'll kill us all!" 

[hr]

[hider=The Kings Assassins][center][img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/8e/23/79/8e23790fbb070fb3f078b11c961aa856.jpg[/img][/center][/hider]

[hider=Rugath] Two red spirits angrily make their way towards Dr. Isaacs and Professor Hartwell, who are caught completely off-guard and ill-equipped to fend for themselves. Two  2nd year investigators try to shoot them with firearms. Their bullets whiz through the wraiths and accidentally wound another inspector. The Wraiths inch toward the various tools scattered about work benches, ready to possess them in order to bludgeon and stab Isaacs and Hartwell. [/hider]

[hider=Shreth] The green paired wraiths angrily shriek into the crowd. One looks to possess Carmina, the bartender. The other is within inches of possessing Gregory Stills.[/hider] 

[hider=Umayeth] Even though she is alone, she is the most powerful of the five, as she is the only one that can make physical contact in this realm - something never done before. This purple wraith is currently engaged in battle with Tom Reitz and Mako Tsujimoto.[/hider]