[center][sub][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HigMbVSvJU]SOUNDTRACK[/url] [color=af4052]《》[/color] [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqoxXV1hGCo]AMBIENCE[/url][/sub][/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ZgXFKTx.png[/img][/center]
[hr][center][sub][color=cecece]DAY 1[/color] [color=af4052]《》[/color] [color=cecece]STEELWATER [RD-PRS][/color] [color=af4052]《》[/color] [color=cecece]After Noon[/color] [color=af4052]《》[/color][@Exit][@Aeolian][/sub][/center][hr][table][row][/row][row][cell][url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5383406][img]https://i.imgur.com/x8kVFJA.png[/img][/url][color=2e2c2c]▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇[/color][/cell][cell][quote][color=dimgray]	A tiny, sinister although playful smirk came onto Emilia's lips after the 'no ammo' comment. And, that [i]Clarke[/i] name was probably not going to go away anytime soon. Luckily, the rest of the team did not hear it, otherwise, Emilia would probably have to endure plenty of teasing until the end of time. The rest of Christina's words were half expected, yet difficult to realize. It was an almost inevitable truth to face. The moment that General McMahon had said Benjamin's name at the SWARG meeting this morning, Emilia could piece everything together herself, although reluctantly. She certainly did not want it to be this way, but how could she possibly correct it? This Archon that Christina mentioned was Ben, or perhaps they had to say [i]Bahamut[/i] now. From what Emilia had heard, being in an Aeon/Spirit-induced Archon form was extremely intoxicating and addictive. Those who were able to assume that form did everything they could to maintain it for as long as possible.

	"[color=6598c4]What happened to Ben? I don't know. I got a message from him some time ago that said that he had to do [i]something[/i], something he couldn't do while...[/color]" Emilia paused and let out a modest sigh. "[color=6598c4]...he was in the UDF, or something—memory is a bit hazy.[/color]" She did not lie just then, but neither did she speak the entire truth. His real words in the text message had been '...while you and mom were around'. Although, it heavily implied that doing whatever it was that he had to do would not be possible while serving the UDF. [color=3c5f7d][i]While you and mom were around... hmpff, what does that even mean? I'd rather go with him than do this. Or, maybe that's just wishful thinking. No, it isn't, you are just afraid. Who am I talking to?[/i][/color] Emilia's thoughts wandered, trying to hide wrinkling eyebrows and marginally frowning nose bridge. "[color=6598c4]So, you saw his Archon form? Does it look like the actual thing, Bahamut? It's, like, a mythological dragon or something where he is from.[/color]" She asked with a hint of exhaustion on her face. The thought of having to go up against Ben, or any of his old team for that matter, had started to nag at Emilia's mental state.

	After chatting for a few moments, things inside the PRS took an unexpected turn. The ordinary fluorescent lights switched mode in an instant to a deep red that consumed all other colors visible to the eye—clothes, equipment, and things appeared as if drenched in blood. Rotating emergency lights of yellow hue began to slowly spin within tiny blubs in the ceiling. And, a muffled commotion could somewhat be heard coming from the level below. Something was clearly wrong. As if on cue, Errikos' voice rang out in the PA system to warn about the outbreak in the Research Wing, and Oerba showed her pretty face riddled with despair and urgency. The young gal did not have to say two words. Emilia was quick on her feet and gestured to Christina to tag along. "[color=6598c4]Robert, Scylla, Aaron! Down below![/color]" Emilia shouted as they descended deeper into the PRS towards the Research Wing. She had little to no idea where the others were, but Emilia assumed that all the warning lights and Erriko's voice were perceivable throughout the whole PRS.

	The sight within the Research Wing was bizarre. It was almost as if there was another room in there connected by sliding doors and what Emilia thought to be reinforced glass of some kind. Inside, she could see some manner of pitch black smoke slowly swirling about in a corner, and then those [i]people[/i] or whatever they were. They looked like corpses but mindlessly walked around and were somewhat aggressive in their twitching and motions. "[color=6598c4]What [i]the[/i]... are those Stiggies?[/color]" Emilia asked with bewildered tones. She waved her arm at the door to see if it was motion activated—alas, nothing happened. There was a contraption next to the door that said 'IntCom' with a button labeled 'PTT' (Push To Talk). Emilia did not hesitate. "[color=6598c4]Isolde, are you in there? How do we open this door? It doesn't seem to respond. Is there a button or something?[/color]" Emilia spoke with a hurried voice while waving her other arm at the door, even putting her hand at it to see if something would happen.

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[color=99945e][b]Summary[/b][/color][hr][color=99945e]Emilia and Christina continued their chat. They were interrupted by emergency lights, Errikos' voice, and Oerba. Something was wrong in the Research Wing. They hurry downstairs to find a bizarre view. Emilia has some trouble with getting the sliding doors to open.[/color]

[color=7e557c][b]Quest Steps[/b][hr]The sliding doors need to be opened manually, somehow. Anyone can create a way to make this happen either through Oerba (if that's alright with [@Aeolian]) or simply figuring it out on the spot. Or, [@Krash] has Errikos open it remotely again after seeing people coming to help. Inside, these 'zombie' Stiggies are classed as CANNON FODDER without a BOSS, so just slice away.
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