[center][h3]Solitary Confinement[/h3][/center] [@GarlandDaHero],[@Guess Who],[@AdmrlStalfos19],[@Sunbather],[@Hyyde322],[@Kal-El] Homura's target fell swiftly from the unexpected strike, having been focused on the threat that Cayde had possessed, rather than the unarmed prisoners behind him. His body fell limp, a trickle of blood running down his neck as the deep gash dyed the once sterling silver of his steel armor a rusty brown. Finding himself asked a rather crude question by the formerly imprisoned Copper Dhirom, Perkeo scoffed, putting a hand over his heart. [color=fff79a][b]"I may be a Draph, but a fighter I certainly am not. The harp is my mistress, and I-"[/b][/color] he started, before being Suddenly barraged with pink flower petals. The musically-gifted Draph found himself being requested to save yet another from their cell. [color=fff79a][b]"Oh, sure!"[/b][/color] Perkeo said without much fanfare, more than eager to free someone to do the heavy lifting for him. Unfortunately for Belladonna however, she was beaten to the punch, the two guards going for the alarm already having been dispatched, and the two that had faced the prisoners had been soundly defeated. Satirra was still in control of the guard she had sought to take down now, though, the man simply holding onto her claw in desperation as the small, radio like device sprang to life. Now, a message came through, saying: [b]"Code 32E, We have a breakout on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors. Requesting all personnel to report immediately."[/b] Now, the group faced another problem: They were currently located on the highest floor of the entire prison, and their belongings, as well as escape route, were all located on the first floor, where every single other guard in the prison would start to concentrate. To begin with, many of the group had been here for so long that the layout of the prison was a blur of details, and the same faceless, gray walls. If only someone who had only just been brought in was there...and, unfortunately, he was. Clearing his throat. Perkeo strode forward. [color=fff79a][b]"I erm...doubt that he'd much think twice of his own men dying, my angry draconic friend. He seemed rather eager to discipline them physically to begin with"[/b][/color] he said, puffing his sculpted chest out and walking ahead. [color=fff79a][b]"However, fear not; So long as we stay together, I'm certain that we'll be able to make our escape."[/b][/color] he said, rather loudly as he practically skipped off, expecting the others to follow as he went. It was clear he had absolutely no plan, save for trying to just waltz right out of Ziggurat. ...A sneaking suspicion might arise amongst them that dealing with Perkeo might just be worse than the gaggle of guards that were no doubt on high alert for another reason, given the sound of clamor and commotion that arose from the stairwells that lead down. Violence and curses lingered in the air, as flesh burnt below, and blade cut into flesh and bone. Blood, both fresh, and dried, lingered in those halls, and a fight should only be expected in this hellhole. And lord knows, Perkeo certainly won't last in it. Down the stairs from here would be the area where the more...unfortunate prisoners wound up. Those who's lives were unfortunately deigned too worthless to even keep locked up in a cell, were instead experimented on using various ether-based procedures, surgeries, body modifications, the works. A gruesome place to be sure, but it stood between them and freedom. [hr] [center][h3]Research/Testing[/h3][/center] [@Suku],[@Enkryption] The two half-dead men blubbered rather pathetically about the pain they were experiencing before Marshall made his ultimatum. A rather ridiculous proposal to be sure, given that death was assured either way. One however proved himself more ridiculous by giving in, hurriedly answering Marshall. [b]"S-Seventh floor! T-There's only one stairway that leads down, nobody comes up here but us and the warden! A-And erm...Prisoner Belongings! That's where your knife'd be."[/b] the rightmost of the two scientists said, and, before he could continue, promptly got spat on by his colleague. [b]"I never did like you. Nobody escapes. Nobody's EVER escaped."[/b] the latter explained, looking Marshall dead in the eyes. [b]"And you, an immortal freak who can get chopped up as good as any other schmuck sure as Crimson won't be the first."[/b] he said, before flinging himself out of his chair with his body weight, literally trying to crawl to get away. If nothing else, one had to admire his tenacity as his colleague found himself only able to laugh as he watched, certain that he'd be spared Marshall's torture. [hr] Skathi's rampage continued as she literally tore through the guards that stood in her way, a similar energy to her own emanating from several floors far below. Before she could reach the exit of the floor however, she would feel an overwhelmingly powerful presence standing dead ahead of her, the woman from before who had been leading a Harvin by the hand, now standing alone by the doorway. Her small, far more politically important friend not at her side currently, the woman regarded Skathi with a small smile, and slowly approached her. As if ice was forming in her veins, Skathi quickly found her rage subsiding, instead replaced by a very simple response: Fight, or Flight. As the woman came closer, the storm outside of Ziggurat seemingly worsened, and thunder echoed in the halls of the prison. Rain, falling at a slight angle, splashed into the halls and the corridors, and even some of the cells. It was at this point that Skathi would feel a menacing presence not only from the woman, but from the entire prison itself; The very energy of a Primal Beast. [color=E0FFFF][b]"I must admit, I was confused that you didn't awaken at my call, but...I understand now. You poor thing..."[/b][/color] she said softly, her steps careful, measured, and graceful as she approached Skathi. Her's was an odd presence, so commanding of attention that it felt as if she were bolted to your vision, but her visage was one of fragility, as if simply touching her were enough to shatter her like glass. Even so, there was something malevolent about this Silver Woman, who seemed to not only not fear Skathi, but seemed to regard her as less than threatening. More...adorable, it seemed. As if Skathi were nothing more than a child throwing a tantrum. [color=E0FFFF][b]"Its okay. You don't have to do this anymore. I'm here."[/b][/color] she said, smiling serenely at Skathi. Her words were like honey, a sickeningly sweet taste seemed to just dance off of them, with the same sort of tone and cadence that a mother comforting her child had, but...something was far from comforting about it. All at once, Skathi would feel her body tense, and a familiar voice echo in her mind; [color=696969][b][i]"FLEE! NOW!"[/i][/b][/color] her Primal Benefactor ordered. All the while, the storm surrounding Ziggurat only grew worse and worse...and the woman only stepped closer and closer to Skathi. [hr] [center][h3]Prisoner Belongings[/h3][/center] [@Shizuochan],[@Burst],[@Skyrte] Giddily picking the lock on a rather ornate looking lockbox, the blonde erune's womans ears perked up when she realized attention was back on her. [color=a36209][b]"Oh, uh...well, being honest, I didn't expect this prison break to go so...well. I kiiinda figured the number of prisoners would drop to at least half while we made a break for the ship. Judging by the sounds though...well, we'll work out how many people actually made it to the ship once we steal it."[/b][/color] she explained. It seemed that despite her ability to organize people into doing this whole break-out deal, it also seemed she didn't really think about getting anybody but herself, the pilots, and the guy who did the heavy lifting of breaking them out. Whistling, the Erune woman put her hands behind her head and took a look around. [color=a36209][b]"...Guess they pawn off all the valuables people bring in. Or send them straight to the 13 Heads. Ah well, no use carrying gold if it slows you down anyways. C'mon, we've got a ship to steal."[/b][/color] she said, gesturing for the three to follow her as she slinked into the corridors of the prison, sidling along the walls and keeping to the shadows. In spite of her rather cheerful demeanor and sun-kissed hair, she almost seemed eerily at home within the shadows, a fact made even more clear as she stopped the group without even looking ahead. [color=a36209][b]"Three Guards. Gives me an idea..."[/b][/color] she said, before sidling up to the wall and making her way closer without making a sound. Judging from the sound of metal clanking against the ground as well as some muffled screams, it seemed she succeeded, returning with three full sets of Zweite Military Personnel armor. [color=a36209][b]"So, my plan is we disguise as guards, and get inside the ship past all the guards. Then, we can pick them off and get out of here scott free!"[/b][/color] As she donned her relatively ill-fitting set of armor, she lifted up the visor of the helmet and said: [color=a36209][b]"A bit stuffy, and reeks of sweat and disappointment, but not to shabby. Gilvan, you get one, and uh..."[/b][/color] Looking down at Arno and Kagami, she cleared her throat. [color=a36209][b]"W-Well, you two can share one...stacked up, you're about big enough. Arno should be on top though, since his voice is deeper."[/b][/color] she explained, leaving the threesome to ponder the validity off her plan. It seemed the guards' attention was drawn elsewhere, so for now, they had time to decide if this dumb plan was worth a shot.